From Teryima Ajijah, Jos
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has said the state is working towards ensuring it reduces to the barest minimum, cyber crime in the state, through partnership with Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) to train citizens on cyber security.
The governor made the disclosure Thursday in Jos, at a two-day ongoing training workshop on cyber security awareness, holding at Crispans Hotel.
Represented by Commissioner for Science and Technology, Benjamin Jang, Governor Lalong said the idea is a welcome development, hence it could tackle cyber internet hackers.
The governor revealed that state executive council members are being periodically trained on Internet security. According to him, civil servants who do not acquire Information and Communication Technology (ICT) education may not be promoted henceforth.
He revealed that the state revenue board and land acquisition department in the Ministry of Lands and Survey have been duly automated and have helped in arresting fraudsters.
Lalong said the entire state shall soon be ICT driven as a means of protecting citizens from fraudulent persons.
Earlier, in a welcome address, Chairman, NCS Plateau state chapter, Dr Yinka Oyerinde said the workshop is aimed at securing Plateau state from cyber attackers.
Dr Oyerinde assured that NCS will soon digitalise the entire state, using constant training and retraining of citizens to positively use ICT and secure themselves.
Vice Chancellor, University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya said the institution will assist Plateau State government to be inclined technologically.
Delivering a 30 minute lecture at the workshop, Prof. Ishaya noted with regrets that many Nigerians have been defrauded through cyber crime in recent years.
The vice chancellor revealed that 71 percent of small scale business persons were hit by cyber attackers in 2021 due to lack of cyber education.
He explained that suspected cyber attackers do obtain profiles of highly placed individuals and companies, soliciting for funds with the aim of defrauding them for malicious purposes.
The VC said some hackers create fake bank accounts with intention of defrauding the unsuspecting public, who are not internet compliant.
Prof. Ishaya, a professor of ICT, advised citizens to acquire developing cyber security education to be protected against cyber attackers.
The university Don warned those who allow unknown persons to have deep access to their phones, computers and other devices which have there personal data are at risk of being defrauded.
Citizens were warned against exposing their personal and company data on the internet; because hackers use such avenue to defraud people.
The workshop titled: “Be cyber smart” was organized by NCS and Internet Society of Nigeria; with participants drawn from small scale business communities, security personnel and the general public to be equipped with cyber security.