…Informs that Crypto-Currencies are Now Used to Pay for Illicit Goods and to Fund Terrorism
… Senator Abdulfatai Buhari Says Cyberspace Can Destroy Economy if not Properly Utilized
By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Minister of Communication, Dr. Adebayo Shittu has called for collaboration between ECOWAS sub-region and African Union (AU) in combatting cross-border cyber-crime, this is also as he informed that it will foster cyber diplomacy within West Africa.
According to Shittu, “transnational criminal network has become complex and sophisticated as Crypto – Currencies are now being used to pay for illicit goods and to fund terrorism”.
He disclosed this on Tuesday at the on-going 2018 Legislative-Stakeholders Conference on Cybersecurity held in Abuja with the theme: Implications of Disruptive Technologies on National Security and Economy.
Shittu maintained that, “the threats to Nigeria by cyber terrorism remain high, adding that the use by ISIS, the terrorist group, of cyber tools to build and influence its support base has been a major challenge globally”.
He however, assured that, “the ICT road map 2017 – 2020 and cyber Acts 2015, commit Nigeria to an ambitious, proactive strategy to ensure the deployment and utilization of ICTs to safe and secure Cyberspace”.
In his welcome address, Chairman Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber-crime, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, acknowledge that Cyberspace is not proper utilized, is capable of destroying the nation’s economy, defense and even policies.
He further reminded that South Korea uses almost 80 percent of their Cyberspace to develop their global economy and also explore it for their defense, but stressed that here in Nigeria, the reverse is the case”.
Chairman Senate Committee on ICT said rather than Nigerians dissipating energy and talent destroying political office holders, they should be channeled to building the nation.
Buhari, recalled that when Internet hackers broke into Jamb website in 2015, that it took only the efforts of National Information Technology Agency (NITDA), for the problems to be rectified.
He enjoined youths to pay attention to the conference and maximize the opportunity made available for them through expertise that is present.
Major General EG Whyte while commending the Legislative – Stakeholders conference on Cyber security, pointed out that cyberspace play a crucial roles in security architecture, adding that any country that lack the knowledge of cyber space would not be able to combat her security challenges.
In his keynote address he said “Cybersecurity is all about National defense not only about personal computers, or individual crime but organize crime that will destabilize the Nation” therefore, it is important for Nigerian State to put maximum attention to their cyberspace ”
The vice chairman Senate Committee on ICT and cybercrime, Senator Foster Ogola appreciated every participant and assured that there is a need to making sure that all bills relating to Cyber security in the National Assembly be passed and sent to Mr President for assent for policy continuation.