Tinubu decries labelling of Nigerians as cybercriminals
Assures of FG’S support in combating digital offences
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has deplored what he termed mislabelling and blanket stereotyping of Nigeria as a country with the highest prevalence of cybercrime and other forms of corrupt practices.
The development, the President declares, undermines majority of the citizens that maintain the virtues of integrity and diligence.
Tinubu made the observation, yesterday, during a Public Engagement on Youth, Religion and the Fight Against Corruption, as well as the Launch of Inter- Faith Manual and Fraud Risk Assessment Project for Ministries, Departments and Agencies ( MDAS) at Yar’adua Centre, Abuja.
Organised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC), the event is a multi- dimensional stakeholders’ involvement in the fight against economic and financial crimes.
He regretted that over the years, Nigerians had been linked with Internet crimes without tangible proof, a development he said is out of tune with typical Nigerians’ way of life.
The President, who was represented at the event by Vice President Kashim Shettima, noted that, “on the contrary, Nigerians are meticulous, authentic citizens, who have been making significant contributions” to innumerable fields of endeavour around the world.
He said: “Over the decades, Nigerians have been victims of mislabelling. Such gross misrepresentation fails to reflect the true essence of our diverse and resilient nation. The association of Internet crimes with the entire Nigerian populace lacks statistical evidence and does not align with the sociology of everyday Nigerians.
“Our nation comprises hardworking and honest citizens, who contribute significantly to various fields globally, from Artificial Intelligence ( AI) to medicine.
“While we reject blanket stereotyping that undermines the majority upholding principles of integrity and diligence, we must face the fact that we function in an interconnected world where cybercrimes have evolved into a global phenomenon. This poses a threat not only to our nation but to the entire world.”
Delivering his speech entitled, ‘ Youth, Religion, and Our Battle Against Corruption: A Call to Action’, the President applauded the EFCC “for remaining a moral compass, persistently rousing the nation’s conscience,” just as he said through its operations, the commission has remained vocal in “telling the world that Nigeria is neither complicit nor complacent in confronting the menace of corruption.”
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said the launch of the interfaith manuals and the Fraud Risk Assessment Project for MDAS are all geared towards engaging relevant and critical stakeholders in the reinvigorated anti- corruption fight in the country.
In his goodwill message, the Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, emphasised the significance of paying more attention to preventive measures in the renewed fight against corruption.
In separate remarks, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh; Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad III, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, were unanimous in their commendation of President Tinubu and the EFCC management for the administration’s avowed commitment to the fight against corruption in Nigeria.