Kogi govt  moves against cybercrime, warns parents backing internet fraudsters

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Kogi State Government has launched an anti-internet fraud campaign and called for the establishment of Anti-Internet Fraud Campaign Clubs in schools and tertiary institutions as part of efforts to combat cybercrime and promote ethical values among youths.

Governor Usman Ododo made the call during the official flag-off of the campaign at the Government House in Lokoja, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Folashade Ayoade, who stressed the need for parents, schools, religious bodies, and community leaders to join hands with government in tackling internet fraud and restoring moral values in society.

“The system is going bad and it’s in our hands to correct it,” she said, while advocating the creation of anti-fraud clubs in schools to promote awareness among students.

The Convener of the campaign and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Fraud and Internet Matters, Oluseyi Kelvin Eleta, earlier in his remarks, said the initiative was designed to protect the image and future of Kogi State.

He noted that intelligence and talent become dangerous when not guided by integrity, urging youths to use the digital space for innovation, entrepreneurship and investment rather than cybercrime.

Speaking on behalf of the ICPC, CP Nathaniel Diton delivered a lecture titled “Internet Fraud and the Nigerian Youth: The Way Forward,” where he identified pressure, opportunity and rationalization as major factors encouraging fraudulent behaviour.

He urged youths to embrace ethical means of livelihood and warned against defending corruption based on ethnic or social sentiments.

The Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said the state shouldn’t be defined by internet fraudsters, describing Kogi people as intelligent, dynamic and hospitable.

Fanwo blamed some parents for indirectly encouraging internet fraud by accepting expensive gifts from unemployed children without questioning the source of the money.

He also disclosed that the state government was developing innovation hubs to help youths channel their digital skills into legitimate ventures.

The Commissioner donated N100,000 to Great Onize Suleiman of GYB Model School for her outstanding presentation during the programme.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mrs. Helen Adebirimibe, and the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Taiye Abanika, urged parents to make sacrifices for the future of their children while encouraging youths to make productive use of the internet.

Students from GYB Model School and Faith Academy also presented papers highlighting the dangers of internet fraud on individuals, families and society.

The event attracted government officials, students, security agencies and education stakeholders, where they united in the call for stronger moral values and collective action against cybercrime in Kogi State.