EFCC, ROLAC to Host  National Summit on Cybercrime

By: Michael Mike

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will join forces with the EU-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC-Phase II) Programme of the International Institute of Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) to host a National Summit on Cybercrime Prevention on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.

The summit, themed “Alternative to Cybercrimes: Optimising Cyber Skills for National Development,” aims to raise awareness about the dangers of cybercrime and its impact on Nigeria’s economy, financial systems, and citizen safety.

This was contained in a media advisory made available yesterday by the Communications Officer, ROLAC II, International IDEA, Mr. Murkthar Suleiman.

According to the statement, the event will also mark the launch of the EFCC’s 24/7 Cybercrime Rapid Response Centre (E-CR2C), a multi-agency initiative designed to tackle cybercrime threats and incidents in the country. The E-CR2C will serve as a one-stop hub for receiving, investigating, and enforcing court orders against suspected cybercrime activities.

“The summit and E-CR2C launch are crucial anti-corruption measures to address emerging digital challenges and strengthen anti-corruption reforms in Nigeria. The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase II, funded by the European Union and implemented by International IDEA, supports the EFCC’s efforts,” the statement noted.

“This summit will, therefore, sensitise the citizenry on cybercrime, its negative impacts, and measures for curbing and preventing it. There will, therefore, be an essay competition for select school students on the negative impact of cybercrime followed by the unveiling of a digital response centre where citizens can report cybercrime,” it added.

Key Objectives of the Summit are to raise awareness by educating the citizens, especially youths and parents, about the risks and consequences of cybercrime. It also aims to prevent cybercrime by promoting alternative uses of cyber skills for national development and enhance the justice sector by consolidating reforms in the justice and anti-corruption sectors.

The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase II, is funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) in Nigeria. The RoLAC II Programme aims to enhance the performance, quality, and oversight of the criminal justice system and justice service delivery in Nigeria, promoting transparency, accountability, and effectiveness within the justice sector. Building on the achievements of the previous RoLAC I Programme, RoLAC II aligns with the objectives of the European Union’s Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) for  Nigeria 2022-2027.   Specific objectives of the programme include further consolidating key reforms in the justice and anti-corruption sectors, reducing gender-based violence, and promoting respect for human rights, especially of persons with disability and other marginalised persons in society. The ultimate objective here is the consolidation of the rule of law and anti-corruption reforms in Nigeria. 

International IDEA, the implementer of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase II, is a 35-member State Inter-Governmental Organisation established in 1995 as a global think-tank committed to supporting sustainable democracy worldwide and the development of democratic institutions and culture.

EFCC, ROLAC to Host  National Summit on Cybercrime

NIDOA Sets Date for AGM, World Conference

By: Michael Mike

The Diaspora Organisation Americas (NiDOA) has announced that its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Conference will be held from Nov. 22 to Nov. 24 in Cleveland Ohio, U.S.

Dr Victor Ubani, Continental Chair, NiDOA, said via telephone on Sunday, that Nigerians in the diaspora played active role in nation building.

Ubani, who doubles as Coordinating Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation(NiDO) Worldwide, said the conference with the theme “New Nigeria: Fresh Progress, Vision for United NiDO” sought to promote unity among Nigerians living abroad.

“This is clarion call to all Nigerians living outside the shores of our dear country, across the globe, to come on board as united NiDO at the World conference.

“This year’s AGM offers vistas for us to reunite as big diaspora family with Mr Wole Oke, Chairman House Committee on Foreign Affairs, as the special guest of honour.

“Other guests include Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, Nigeria Diaspora Commission, Mr Tochukwu Okere, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Matters and Amb. Gabriel Aduda, Permanent-Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Current OPEC Governor for Nigeria.”

He said that there was no better time for Nigerians to work more closely together and contribute their quota to the nation building.

According to him, it has become important for Nigerians living outside their fatherland to participate in the conference in order to achieve more meaningful growth in the country.

“Everyone is cordially invited; you can participate via zoom or you can come in person; it is a clarion call to Nigerians; it is time for us to come together as one.

“Each Nigerian at home or abroad adds to the richness of our collective story; in recognising vital roles that our community plays in nation building, we are not just observers; we are active participants shaping our future.

“From advocating positive change to driving sustainable development, our voices resonate far beyond borders and we are focusing on how we can collaborate with government to achieve set goals.

“We cannot do it alone; we need few selected and focused individuals, so that we can see what we can do for our dear country.

“We have more than 20 million Nigerians living outside the shores of our country; so, it is an appeal to all Nigerians,” Ubani said.

He urged Nigerians to visit the organisation’s website via www.nidoa.org for further details about the conference.

NIDOA Sets Date for AGM, World Conference

Dabiri-Erewa stresses importance of collaboration between the Federal Government and its diaspora for national development

By: Abdul Balogun

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has called for more strategic collaboration and engagement between the Federal government of Nigeria and its citizens both at home and in the diaspora for national development.

Dabiri-Erewa made the appeal while delivering the 12th Convocation lecture of Afe Babalola University, (ABUAD) in Ado-Ekiti.

In the lecture entitled: ” Diaspora Engagements For National Development”, she said such partnership could come, either as individuals, or as groups, through any of the numerous programmes of government to complement its efforts in attaining sustainable development.

“It would not be easy but we will go far and fast if we all unite with a single purpose to develop Nigeria.

“Nigerians, both at home and in the diaspora must join hands to develop Nigeria, as no foreigner will do this for us”, she said.

She expressed optimism that the global exposure of Nigerians in the diaspora can be leveraged as a catalyst for national development, which is achievable under the mandate set up for NIDCOM to actualise.

The NIDCOM boss encouraged Nigerians abroad to work with Nigerians at home, as some of the very best migrants in the world and make a difference just as India , China, Singapore tapped into their diaspora skills and talent for national development.

With the vantage position ABUAD has attained as the best private university in Nigeria and beyond, she said that the University can collaborate, by implementing staff and student exchange programmes, through collaborative research, that address global challenges and sabbaticals to Nigerian diaspora lecturers.

Apprently impressed by the world standard facilities on ABUAD, she commended Aare Afe Babalola, SAN for his commitment to the advancement of education and other areas of human development in Nigeria, saying that the university has added positive impacts to the country and the world after visiting some of the facilities on the campus.

Speaking in the same vein, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) and Founder/ Chancellor of ABUAD, said Nigerians belong to all the citizens and such must be proud of it as God has endowed it with huge human and materiel resources.

The legal luminary and elder statesman wonder why some Nigerians, especially the youths, are still contemplating of traveling out without a mission and focus as Nigeria is blessed with both human and natural resources capable of making it a great country.

He maintained that the university in the last 15 years of its existence has impacted on the nation’s education and health sectors, which has made local and international organisations to rate ABUAD as the best in Nigeria and the world.

Dabiri-Erewa stresses importance of collaboration between the Federal Government and its diaspora for national development