The Acting Zonal Director of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Ahmed Ghali, has expressed worry over the involvement of youths in cybercrime in the country.
Ghali stated this on Thursday, May 15, 2015 during a seminar with the theme “The Role of Boy Child in Community Development and Safety” organized by the Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, Bode Thomas Division, Area C Command Headquarters, Surulere, Lagos.
He said many youths had jeopardised their futures on the altar of excessive ambitions. He added that many youths were not only amoral but had also been lost in the rat race for unearned riches through fraudulent online activities.
Ghali, who spoke through ACE 11 Babatunde Sulaiman, Head, Public Affairs, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, added that “as beautiful as your dreams may be, they could be doomed from the start if you don’t embrace the culture of discipline and integrity. The reason is clear: many youths are increasingly drifting towards antisocial behaviours that can disrupt public peace, harm individuals, or degrade the environment. In addition to commonly known antisocial behaviours, internet fraud has become a prevalent pastime among many youths.”
According to him, many Nigerian ouths now harbour an insatiable desire in their hearts to make money and achieve financial advancement through the internet. He, however, said the approach by the majority of the youth had been misguided.
Ghali, who described the internet as a double-edged sword, further stated that “if you use it wisely, it can elevate you financially and enable you to contribute to your community’s development. However, if you choose to use the internet for criminal purposes, you won’t just harm your unsuspecting victims, but you’ll also jeopardise our own goals.”
He, therefore, advised the youths to redirect their energies and ingenuity to exploring legitimate online income streams rather than dissipating them on activities to scam innocent individuals and organizations.
In his remarks, Prince Samuel Olaoluwa Akintoye, Chairman, PCRC, Bode Thomas Division/ Organizing Secretary Area C Command, Surulere, Lagos State, said the initiative was aimed at nurturing a generation of responsible, ethical, and patriotic young individuals who would not only improve their own lives but also contribute to societal development.
“ The purpose of this initiative by the PCRC is to present a valuable opportunity to engage them and provide guidance on navigating the complex paths to realising their dreams. They need to reflect on how they can contribute to the development of their communities,” he said.
Other speakers at the event include: Prof. ( Mrs.) Aderonke Lawal-Are, Director, Centre For General Studies/ Department of Marine Sciences, University of Lagos; Chief Alaka Yusuf Lukman Owolabi, President, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Lagos and Mr. Ayomide Hussain Public Complaints Commission, Lagos.
In attendance were the representative of the Area Commander, Area C Command Surulere, Lagos, ACP Oni Abayomi; Prof. Ehi Eric Esoimeme, Legal Adviser, Area C Command, Surulere, Lagos; Barr. (Mrs.) Ene Sarah Unobe, Executive Director, International Centre for Human Rights and students from select secondary schools i the State.
