WAMY holds seminar to challenge tide of cybercrime, erosion of values in Nigeria
*As Police Imam lists economic, political, religious, parental factors as contributors
By KHUBAYB ADEFAKA
The scholarships, sponsored by the Saudi Arabian body, World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) Nigeria Office, was said to support the students’ educational pursuits and encourage them to become positive contributors to the digital community.
As part of its social responsibilities towards addressing spiritual failure and moral decadence through spiritual, moral reforms and citizens empowerment by education, Saudi Arabian global organisation, the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY), has organised an event to be part of solutions to the menace in the host country, Nigeria.
To do this, the WAMY Nigeria Office converged a meeting of stakeholders called Parents’ Seminar/Scholarship Awards, which was held at the WAMY International School, Ojodu Abiodun, an Ogun State boundary community with Lagos, on Sunday November 17, 2024.
At the seminar themed, “Nurturing Values, Enduring Security” were two guest lectures namely; CSP Imam Omikunle AbdulWahid, Chief Imam of Ogun State Police Command, who spoke first on the topic, “Parenting In The Digital Age: Reducing Cybercrime Risks Through Effective Parenting Strategies”.
The second lecturer, Ustaz Fajana Akiba also known as Abu Baraa, a don of the Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, South South Nigeria, treated his wn topic, titled, “The Erosion of Moral Values: Addressing Causes and Strategies To Revitalise Societal Values”
In his lecturer, the first speaker, CSP Omikunle AbdulWahid, identified issues of economy, politics, religion and ineffective parenting as factors militating against spiritual and moral started this contributing to the rise the country has witnessed in cybercrime rate.
The renowned religious leader cum security officer delivered a thought-provoking lecture digging out the issues while shedding light on the devastating impacts of cybercrime on society and the nation’s economy.
Imam Omikunle AbdulWahid, a Chief Superintendent of Police, emphasized that “cybercrime is a complex issue, requiring a multifaceted approach to address its root causes.”
According to him, five primary causes of cybercrime in the Nigerian society are identifiable and he listed them as economy, political leadership, social interaction, religious misguidance and effective parenting.
Explaining the economic factor with regard to he it contributes to rising cyber security rate, he said, “Financial struggles and the inability to afford basic needs drive individuals to engage in illicit activities.’ just as he said of the second factor of political Leadership saying, “Those in power often exploit cyber-skilled individuals for their own dubious purposes, perpetuating the problem.”
On social interaction as a contractor, the Police Imam revealed the impact of bad ganging as a mean of being easily contaminatedband the called that, “Children must be cautious of the company they keep, and parents should guide them in making wise choices.
He described religious misguidance as a factor being, according to him, that, “Misleading lectures can lead young people astray, contributing to the rise of cybercrime” and capped them up with a note that, “Effective parenting plays a vital role in preventing cybercrime, and parents must prioritize instilling values and discipline.”
The speaker stressed by urging parents to, as a matter of obligation, take note of key aspects in the lives of their children in order to prevent cybercrime among them, and he listed the important aspects to include fear of God, “Teaching children the importance of faith and moral values is crucial.”
He was speaking in Ogun at the same time the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, who is also the Leader of Muslims in Nigeria, was speaking at this year’s General Assembly of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), equally calling on parents to groom their children in the way of Allah so for them to grow and become better citizens.
Another key aspect parents should take cognizance of in the lives of their children, the Ogun State Command Chief Imam listed as “Quality education” adding that “Providing sound education can help prevent cybercrime and related issues.”
Another point listed by him was the aspect of discipline and morals, saying that “Instilling discipline and modest behaviour helps children make better choices,” while by monitoring he said, “Parents must dedicate time to monitoring their children’s activities and associations.”
WAMY Nigeria Chief Accountant, Alhaji Hussein Abubakar, talking about the event from the area of its theme, “Nurturing Values, Ensuring Safety,” said it aimed to raise awareness about the importance of values and safety in preventing cybercrime.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of scholarship awards to deserving students from WAMY International School in recognition of their academic excellence and commitment to responsible digital citizenship.
The scholarships, sponsored by the Saudi Arabian body, World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) Nigeria Office, was said to support the students’ educational pursuits and encourage them to become positive contributors to the digital community.
