Mitiget kicks off 2023 cyber security awareness campaign in schools

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Most Revd’ Dr. Obafemi Adeleye

When Mitiget, an enterprise information security firm, sponsored a summit at the Methodist Girls’ High School (MGHS) Yaba Lagos on some two months ago on 25 January 22023 it was, once again, to demonstrate its commitment to ensuring that Nigerian youths were protected from cybercriminals and their pranks. The seminar marked the commencement of their 2023 cyber security awareness campaign and was admirably graced by representatives of the Student Body, Teachers, School Management, Board of School Governors, Parents Teacher Association (PTA) and other stakeholders.

This was one of series of other seminars planned for this year by the organization as its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – to strengthen child online protection in Nigeria, as the country deepens in its embrace of digital culture, given that ICT had become a critical learning tool.

Since more devices were connected to storing sensitive personal, family and school information, it was essential to enlighten the youths early on the cyber risks. While there is no foolproof to preventing a cyber-attack, awareness of the threats would help protect life and property as well as the future generation.

The summit was designed to help equip students and teachers with the knowledge and tools necessary for protecting themselves and their digital information.

During the summit, apart from the cyber security awareness session, the ICT governance framework developed by Mitiget for the school was approved by the management including the charter setting up the school’s ICT Steering Committee (MISC) with members drawn from students, teachers and administrative staff. Members were charged to also double as the cyber security ambassadors and champions for the school and society at large.

Their responsibilities were to ensure ICT policies and guidelines were adhered to by everyone in the school including creating awareness in classes, support ICT projects of the school, recommend ICT initiatives that support their learning effectively, and continually be involved in creating cyber security awareness.

The principal of the school, Mrs. Oluyemisi Oluseyi Padonu, applauded the intervention of Mitiget with the summit which enriched everyone present on the proper use of the Internet and fundamental practices that protect one from cyber criminals. Addressing the students and other participants at the event, Padonu commended Mitiget leadership for the cyber security awareness initiative, and said that as the Ministry of Education at all levels encourages leveraging ICT for effective learning, this summit was timely for students and teachers be aware of the cyber risks and imbibe best practices to mitigate them.

Earlier, during the cyber security awareness segment, the CEO of Mitiget, Sunny Ukeachu,
announced that the Mitiget-sponsored cyber security summit had a specific interest in ICT
resources and online protection of the youth especially the children both in public and private schools. “It is obvious that the Internet is now crucial in everyday life, and especially for students’ learning. Students use different apps and technologies to leverage opportunities for research, learning, communication, entertainment, and business. Every child needs to know the antics of cybercriminals and smartly be safe while helping others to be aware also,” Ukeachu said.

At the inauguration of MISC, during the summit, Very Revd’ Olugbenga Bamitali who eminently represented the proprietor of the school, Most Revd’ Dr. Obafemi Adeleye charged the committee members and those in attendance to seize the moment to be change agents. He said that even though the Internet provides countless opportunities for children, it also exposes them to potentially harmful content. Dr. Adeleye also confirmed that the Mitiget’s summit and the follow-up programs to sensitize secondary school students across the country on cyber-related crimes, such as cyber bullying, Internet fraud, identity theft, online soliciting of minors, would go a long way to educate many youngsters and help tame the ‘yahoo-yahoo’ syndrome.

According to Ukeachu, Mitiget plans to collaborate with key cyber security stakeholders to foster and engender a robust cyber security environment in schools and among youths and Nigeria at large. Mitiget is a leading Enterprise Information Security company delivering comprehensive security and IT solutions.

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