First Lady Urges Nigerian Youth to Imbibe Hard Work, Honesty

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has urged the nation’s youths to imbibe the habits of hard work and honesty, in order to be worthy citizens and be more useful to the society.

She made the call in Abuja on Tuesday at the opening of the National Cybercrime Summit, organized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

She said: “To our youth, the choices you make today will define your future and the future of Nigeria. I urge you to choose honesty, integrity, and hard work as they truly pave the way for lasting success.”

The First Lady, who noted that cybercrime is detrimental to the development of the nation, added that the theme of the summit, “Alternative to Cybercrime: Optimizing Cyber Skills for National Development,” is appropriate.

She used the opportunity to assure Nigerians that the current administration is poised to address current challenges especially those affecting the youth directly.

“Cybercrime is not just a crime against individuals or businesses. It is an assault on our collective integrity, economic stability, and the future of our youths. The digital age, while offering unprecedented opportunities, has always exposed us to new vulnerabilities.

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“It is, therefore, crucial that we address this challenge head-on and explore not only the harmful consequences of cybercrimes but also the sustainable alternatives that can redirect our youth towards productive and positive endeavours,” she stated.

Collaboration

The First Lady often referred to as the mother of the nation, therefore, sued for collaborative effort in addressing the menace to protect the interest and future of the youth.

“With young people accounting for more than 60 percent of the nation’s population, the involvement of the youth in cybercrime is a threat to the nation’s quest for economic development and stability.  

“Combating cybercrime requires a multi-faceted approach that involves various stakeholders including parents, law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, the private sector, religious and traditional leaders, business leaders, community and civil societies.

“It is crucial that we emphasize and entrench the culture of hard work rooted in honesty and dignity of labour among our teeming youth. It is crucial that we emphasize and entrench the culture of hard work rooted in honesty and dignity of labour among our teeming youth,” she added.

Role Models

The First Lady also underscored the role of parents in training the youth for national development.

”In this regard, parents play a pivotal role in raising and guarding their children and wards to be God-fearing, inculcating in them good values, morals, and a sense of patriotism.  Parents must model responsible behavior themselves. We must take proactive steps about renewing and redirecting the minds of our youth towards productive and honest living in our daily interactions with them,” said the Wife of the President.

Mrs. Tinubu reminded citizens that Nigeria is the only country they have and so must be deliberate in sustaining its glory.

Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, thanked President Bola Tinubu for exhibiting the political will to address challenges troubling the nation.

“I thank the President for the political will to strengthen institutions of nation-building. This gathering has brought different perspectives on the issue of cybercrimes,” he said.

The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Sa’ad Abubakar III, said IT skills are very important for human and national development.

He said: “As you are all aware, IT skills are great assets that any country can boast of. Some of you with IT skills represent strategic assets for our great country. Such skills represent the future fortunes of countries and therefore the youth represent the future wealth of this country.”

He warned those using their IT skills for criminal acts that they will eventually be caught, no matter how long it takes.

Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the youth of Nigeria have decided to address the problem of cybercrime through good initiatives.

“We have the can-do spirit and we are promising as a body that we will do everything within our power to make sure that the Nigerian youth are with you. We are ready to work together in this system,” as he pledged the commitment of the youth towards addressing cybercrime.

In his address of welcome, the Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, said the Nigerian youth must be positively engaged, to discourage them from partaking in anything criminal.

He disclosed that millions of dollars have been lost to cybercrime, adding that there are various skills that can be introduced to the youth as alternatives to cybercrime.

The fact remains that cybercrime threatens the nation’s most significant assets, its reputation and economic wellbeing. The losses by the financial services sector to cybercrime in the last three years are mind-boggling and staggering.

“We cannot continue to sit idle and watch the integrity of our institutions compromised and our youths degenerate into living lives solely dependent on crime. The future of our nation cannot be allowed to hang in the balance. We must take collective actions against cybercrime,” he said.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the 24-hour cybercrime response desk by Mrs. Tinubu.