Addressing Cybercrime with 'Thrive Online' Campaign
Cybercrime poses a grave threat in Nigeria, wreaking havoc on individuals, families, and businesses. Many people think cybercrime is victimless, but ordinary Nigerian citizens are targeted by cybercriminals every day, resulting in significant financial loss as well as loss of access to the online platforms they use for work, education and to communicate with loved ones.
According to data released earlier this year by Kaspersky, the global cybersecurity and digital privacy company, Nigeria recorded the highest number of cyber threats across Africa over the last 12 months, highlighting the severity of the problem.
In response, the THRIVE ONLINE campaign has been helping to keep Nigerian citizens safe online. THRIVE ONLINE provides accessible informatin through its online platform thriveonlinenigeria.com, the Thrive Online Facebook page, and the monthly Thrive Online radio show on Eco FM. The campaign encourages Nigerians to use strong passwords and multi factor authentication to protect their accounts, and it warns against sharing sensitive personal information online or clicking on suspicious links.
THRIVE ONLINE also seeks to make the internet safer by actively working with young people at risk of involvement with cybercrime. By using mentorship programs, collaborations with influencers and events delivered into schools and community spaces the campaign is redirecting the trajectories of young lives away from crime and towards more positive opportunities.
The THRIVE ONLINE campaign is part of a wider BRIGHTER FUTURES programme backed by the UK government. The programme has taken significant strides in transforming the lives of vulnerable youths in Ikorodu LGA, Ageronmi Ifelodun LGA, and Ifako Ijaiye LGA. The Brighter Futures program provides skills acquisition programs, community-based initiatives, and mentorship opportunities that empower vulnerable young individuals to build sustainable livelihoods. A notable achievement of the program is its focus on addressing past trauma and improving self-worth among beneficiaries. By doing so, Brighter Futures effectively discourages these individuals from becoming pawns in the game of crime, recognizing that a thriving community relies on the well-being of its members.
Mrs. Blessing Abiri, Lagos state coordinator for the program, emphasized, "Success in preventing serious and organized crime hinges on building resilience and strategically mapping goals to experience transformative life changes. The Brighter Futures interventions have opened beneficiaries up to the impact of a growth mindset and self-confidence to thrive in their communities without fear, empowering them with renewed hope for a bright future."