Newspointer May 14, 2024
By Salejo Ali, Kano
Nigerians have been called upon to support the Federal Government’s implementation plan of the newly introduced cyber security levy to help combat cyber crime in the country.
A Civil Society Organization known as Nigeria First Project (NF-PRO) in Kano state Northwest Nigeria made the call at a press briefing in Kano.
The leader of the group Hamza Saulawa emphasized that, the levy will provide increased funding from internal sources for security agencies to combat cybercrimes and terrorism.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing campaign against the cyber security levy, despite clarifications on the initiative, and urged Nigerians to objectively examine the levy’s prospects.
The group highlighted the negative impact of cybercrime on Nigeria’s economy and on the global image, citing the embarrassment and humiliation faced by innocent Nigerians worldwide.
The group noted that, Nigeria loses $500 million to cyber criminals annually and urged support for the levy to reverse this trend.
“This coalition of like-minded Civil Society Organizations(CSOs) is in full support of the Implementation of the Cybersecurity levy.
We are calling on all patriotic Nigerians to rally round the Federal Government in its noble determination to rid our nation of any vestige of criminality, CyberCrimes and terrorism inclusive.”
Saulawa condemned what it called an ongoing hysterical vicious campaign against the cyber security levy by some Nigerians, despite clarifications on the initiative.
“In the face of growing cybercrimes in Nigeria with its attendant consequences on our nation, we find the ongoing hysterical vicious campaign against the Cyber security levy incongruent with the desire of many patriotic Nigerians to see that our hitherto country’s good image is restored.
“It is obvious that, the conversation is being manipulated by a section of the minority vocal elites to look as if the levy is imposed to punish the masses.
This is happening despite the clarification made by the Chairman, Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Senator Shehu Umar Buba. We feel that this kind of debate in which many take an extreme end is not helpful at all.” The group said.
The CSO called on Nigerians to understand that, cybercrime is not only undermining Nigeria’s economy, but has also continued to tarnish its image globally.