US embassy launches Stop, Think and Connect in Lagos

ITRealms:

The United States embassy in Nigeria has marked the 2016 National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) with the launch of the Stop, Think and Connect in Lagos, the commercial centre of the nation, reports ITRealms.

Declaring the event open, the Consul General, Mr. F. John Bray, said that cyber awareness should be everyone’s responsibility, noting that globally, there have been rise in number of individuals, companies, and governments falling victims of cyberattacks.

The concern to protect the populace encouraged in 2009 President Barack Obama’s call for an increase in education and dialogue about cybersecurity in the Cyberspace Security Review.

“As part of this policy review, the Department of Homeland Security created an ongoing Cybersecurity awareness campaign  - StopThinkConnect,” he said.

According to Mr. John Bray, ‘Stop Think Connect’ is a national public awareness campaign designed to raise awareness of cybersecurity and to be more vigilant about practicing safe online habits.”

He urged Nigerians to join the StopThinkConnect campaign so as to have connections to partners and subject matter experts who are committed to increasing online safety; cybersecurity tips, messaging, articles, and presentations; monthly discussions highlighting current cyber issues and trends.

He pointed that people are now spending more time online at home and at work than ever before, stressing that growing dependence on technology, coupled with the increasing threat of cyber-attacks and risks to people’s privacy, demands greater security in the online world.

ITRealms gathered that every year, billions of dollars are lost through cybercrimes globally, just as Mr. John Bray said that cybersecurity ventures predicts that the global community will lose over $6 trillion annually by year 2021.

Other speakers at the event included the President, Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN), Mr. Remi Afon and country manager of Google Nigeria, Mrs Juliet Chiazor and Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, who was ably represented by the Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Tony Ojobo, while Dr. David Isiavwe moderated the panel.

Remmy Nweke/ED,Ops

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Pix: Consul General, Mr. F. John Bray

Mrs Obiano to Anambra women in Lagos: Think homewards

ITRealms:

Wife of the Anambra State governor, Chief (Mrs) Ebelechukwu Obiano has charged Anambra State Women Association Lagos (ASWAL) to lead the crusade of thinking home agenda of Gov. Willie Obiano administration, reports ITRealms.

Speaking at the weekend during the ASWAL Silver Jubilee Lectures and Awards held at the Colonedes Hotels Ikoyi, Lagos, Mrs. Obiano charged the women to be in the frontline of the renewed quest to develop Anambra and make it one of the most prosperous in the country by attracting investments.

“You are all achievers in your own right alongside your husbands but the task before us today is to ensure that we drive the development of Anambra state by bringing investments and your wealth of experience back home now that the governor has created the much needed security and environment for businesses to thrive. Many are already answering the call and are beginning to reap the benefits but more hands are needed on deck and you have a major role to play,” she said.

ITRealms also reports that Mrs. Obiano urged ASWAL to brace up as they celebrate 25 years and be counted in the scheme of things especially in the application of their inputs and talents to the development and growth of Anambra.

She stressed that “it is obvious that our men have led the way, but the time is right for you to stand and be counted. We should not feel inhibited by our gender because increasingly it is becoming clear that intelligence and talent rather than status will determine the choice of leaders in the years ahead.”

Mrs. Obiano cited the encouragement she has received as the wife of the Governor of Anambra State which made it possible for her to expand the scope of her involvement in charitable giving since 1991 to the formation of an NGO, the Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ) - a non-profit service organization which acts as a beacon for the empowerment of women, indigent widows and the less privileged.

She highlighted the achievements of CAFÉ so far aimed at improving the living conditions of the helpless and our communities. these include; the building and hand-over of nine standard 2-Bed Room houses in Agulu, Alor, Amichi, Amorka, Enugwu-otu Aguleri, Ogbunike, Nri, Umunya and Awba-Ofemili.  Also, CAFÉ Market toilets have been completed at Eke Igwe Nteje, Afor Mbaukwu and Afor-Igwe, Umudioka while CAFE water projects are now spread across nineteen communities including special institutions. She emphasized that her NGO receives no funding or government support, but that the projects were made possible by the grace of God, the encouragement of her husband who donated his salary and other donors.

Mrs Obiano further advocated constructive criticism as panacea for sustainable development and good guide for leaders in positions of authority rather than divisive rhetoric which tends to divert attention from the object and programmes that will make positive impact in the lives of the people.

In his Opening remarks, Chairman of the occasion, former Commissioner for Local Government in Anambra State, Chief Dubem, said that “our prayers to God are for our state to continue to progress‎,” and advised ASWAL to properly define their vision and mission in the next 25 years to guide their march to greater heights. He also told them to teach their children Igbo language to help preserve our heritage and above all think home.

Welcoming the guests to the Silver Jubilee ceremony, President of ASWAL, Dr. Mrs. Nkeiru Ifekwem, appealed to Anambra men to allow women to develop their talents and pursue their aspirations to be able to contribute towards the development of the state‎. She outlined the programmes of the association which include the building Skills Acquisition Centre in Awka.

A total of 20 persons received various awards including Mrs. Obiano who was recognized for services to humanity.

Anambra State Women Association Lagos was formed 25 years ago by Anambra women resident in Lagos with the aim of promoting peaceful coexistence among ndi-Anambra,  welfare of the members  to enlighten women on their roles  towards building Anambra state and to help the vulnerable and the poor in the society among others.

Emeka Ozumba/GEE

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Pix L-R: Speaker of Anambra State, House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Barrister Rita Maduagwu, Wife of the Anambra State governor, Chief (Mrs) Ebelechukwu Obiano has charged Anambra State Women Association Lagos (ASWAL) and ASWAL chairperson, Dr. Mrs. Nkeiru Ifekwem.

NDSF 2016: CSEAN, DigitalSENSE Africa unveil Stop, Think, Connect campaign

ITRealms:

The Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN) has partnered DigitalSENSE Africa Media on the national cybersecurity awareness campaign tagged Stop, Think, Connect (STC) with the unveiling at the 2016 Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum (NDSF) series, last Friday, reports ITRealms.

The unveiling was part of the two-day NDSF 2016 was graced by the National President of CSEAN, Mr. Remi Afon, who led dignitaries at the forum to the unveiling told participants that CSEAN is a non-profit organisation made up of information security professionals championing awareness on best practices, and acting as an agent of change to address cybercrime phenomena through engaging intellectual minds, business and political leaders.

Afon also told participants at the Day-2 of NDSF 2016 which was used to host the Nigeria Internet Protocol version Six (IPv6) Roundtable, noted that with the kind of fast internet expected with IPv6 evolution, the unveiling of Stop, Think, Connect, is very apt.

He explained that the Stop-Think-Connect campaign’s overarching goal is to help internet users understand not only the risks that come with using the Internet, but also the importance of practicing safe online behavior.

Pointing out that CSEAN is a global partner of Stop-Think-Connect and aims to roll out the campaign in all nook and corners of Nigeria, stressing that his team have started rolling out the campaign in tertiary institutions and secondary schools.

Commending the management of DigitalSENSE Africa, the organisers of the Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) and Nigeria IPv6 Roundtable for partnering CSEAN on this campaign, Mr. Afon outlined some of the key concerns to include issues affecting every Internet users, cyberbullying.

“Cyberbullying is bullying that happens online. It can happen in an email, a text message, an online game, or on a social networking site. It might involve rumors or images posted on someone’s profile or passed around for other people to see,” he said.

CSEAN president also advised participants to be weary of bullying, asserting “Don’t stand for bullying—online or off. Treat others the way you want to be treated—whether you’re interacting with them online, on your phone or in person.

Further, he urged participants made up youths and students to always speak up, mostly when they see something inappropriate on a social networking site or in a game or chat room, let the website know and tell an adult “you trust” by using ‘Report Abuse’ links which could help keep sites fun for everyone.

On his part, the Lead Strategist, DigitalSENSE Africa, Mr. Remmy Nweke said that the partnership is meant to further stimulate the vision of DigitalSENSE group to stimulate consciousness on the public, especially in Nigeria and among the youths and students on positive use of the Internet rather than the notorious yahoo, yahoo syndrome.

This, he said, would in addition help in discovering future ethical information security professionals by catching them young for a better Internet eco-system from this part of the world.

Okoli Vincent/GEE

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Pix: L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria, Mr. Muhammed Rudman; General Manager, Information Security, National Identity Management Commission, Mr. Emmanuel Ogungbe; President, cyber Security Expert Association of Nigeria, Mr. Remi Afon;  Executive Director, Operations DigitalSENSE Africa, Mrs. Nkemdilim Nweke; Chairman of the Occasion, President, Nigeria Computer Society,  Prof. Adesola Aderounmu; Senior Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on Social Media, AnambraState, Mr. Ifeanyi  Aniagoh;  Broadband and Converged Solution Phas3Telecom, Mr. Remi Adedoyin; during the unveiling the Stop Think Connect at Closing Ceremony of 2 day 2016DigitalSENSE Africa Forum in Lagos.