The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and telecommunications service providers last week, organised a workshop which was meant to sensitise the people of Ibadan and environs in Oyo State on the rising waves and dangers of cybercrimes in its various forms and the role telecommunications consumers are expected to play in reducing the impacts of cybercrime in the society.
The event, which took place at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, was the 102nd edition of the Consumer Outreach Programme (COP) with the theme “Mitigating Effects of Cybercrimes: Roles of Telecom Consumers”.
The COP is one of the fora initiated by the NCC to bring together telecoms consumers in state capitals or major cities across the country with the service producers as well as the regulators for a direct face-to-face interaction on telecoms issues affecting the consumers.
Delivering the welcome address, Head, Government and Legislative Relation, Mr Basir A. Idris, said the need to continuously keep the consumers informed on new development and issues of concern in the industry is held in high esteem by the Commission.
“Realising that liberalisation of the telecoms industry has led to an unprecedented increase in the usage and dependence on internet-based solutions and services,” he said, “the Nigerian Communications Commission has initiated a process to establish an Internet Industry Code of Practice for Internet Service Providers in the country.”
He noted that the Internet Code is a regulatory intervention that will help to secure the county’s cyber space against imminent threat from cyber attackers, adding that it will also“address such issues as online child protection, privacy and data protection, objectionable content, among others.”
He stressed that the NCC is dedicated to educating the people on various on-going consumer-centred initiatives and programmes carried out by the Commission.
He urged the people to “come up with useful suggestions and observations one may have on how they can jointly play roles towards reducing the effect of cybercrimes on telecoms subscribers in this ‘Broadband era.’”
Also speaking at the occasion was the Customer Operations Manager of MTN Nigeria, Mr Bajo Onafuma, who advised that some of the ways to prevent cybercrime is to backup precious information on secured storages like external drives.
On cybercrime and children, Onafuma said, “The issue of children is most important. Guide your children, monitor their cyber usage and make sure they follow the principles and guidelines so that they do not divulge private information on social media.”
Airtel Nigeria’s Regional Head of Enterprise Business of Western Region, Mr Olufemi Adegbite, said Airtel, as an organisation will not share subscribers details with any other person or organisation except that instruction is coming from NCC or the law enforcement agencies.
“If you think your line has been compromised, you can come to us or dial our toll free numbers. We open Mondays to Sundays,” Adegbite said, “You can come physically. You will see someone that will attend to you.”
Also at the occasion was the Cluster Manager of Globecom Nigeria, Mr Gbenoba Andrew, who said one of the ways they checkmate cybercrime is through SIM registration.
“It is important you buy and register their SIM cards yourself,” he said. “We have had cases whereby people buy SIM cards and sent someone else to help them register it.”
9moblie Nigeria’s Retail Centre Manager, Oluwaseun Omisore, advised that people should report to the appropriate authorities immediately their SIMs are stolen or damaged,
“You should always password your laptops and gadgets sothat nobody can get access to them. If you think the password has been compromised you can change it.”
Other events in the occasion were question and answer sessions and raffles.
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