The Centre for Cyber Awareness and Development (CECAD) held its Cyber Security Awareness Forum in commemoration of The World Safer Internet Day 2018 on the 6th of February, 2018 at the NIRA House, 8 Funsho Williams Avenue Iponri Surulere Lagos. The theme of the event was “Create, Connect and Share Respect: A better Internet starts with you”.
CECAD is an advocacy, training, public education and development non-profit, non-governmental organization with the aim to promote cyber responsibility by Internet users at the local, regional, national and international levels.
The President of CECAD, Dr. Bayero Agabi in his welcome speech emphasized on the need to use the Internet appropriately in other for the cyberspace to be a sane environment. His concern was more for the younger generation and value they derive in using the Internet.
He further stated that the Internet or Social media can be used positively to promote the best of individuals, Businesses and Lives. In conclusion Self-regulation is the key to a safer internet.
Speaking at the forum, The EVC of Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) Prof Umar Garba Danbatta who was represented by the Director of New Media & Information Security Department (NMIS) Engr. Haru Al-Hassan, said that NCC as the regulator is working hard to make the internet a safer place.
While welcoming participants to the forum, the NIRA President, Rev’d Sunday Folayan gave a brief background about NIRA.
keynote speakers at the event include Egr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, CEO, of Medallion Communication, Miss Damilola Ogunsanya, a Legal Practitioner, at Probitas Partners Firm, and Mr. Rock Adoto, Software Application Developer, Mi-C3 International. Participants were advised to:
- Ensure online protection by teaching cyber hygiene, which is a form of protecting oneself on the cyberspace.
- Avoid clicking unsolicited adverts or pop ups
- Avoid performing online transactions with a free wifi.
- Protect your devices, cards etc. from third party intrusions.
- Make use of strong passwords and often change your passwords.
The event also featured schools debate between Students of Grace High School Gbagada, Princeton College Surulere and Toklak Group of Schools on the topic: “The mobile phone is a distraction to learning”, to test the student’s understanding of the topic of the day.
