As Stakeholders continue to discuss the inculcation of ethical usage of the internet among youths, the Special Assistant to Abia Governor on Due Process and Head Due Process and Public Procurement Bureau, Dr Oluebube Chukwu called for the prioritization of digital literacy and ethical Internet usage in schools and communities.
Speaking with Newsmen on the just concluded 2025 Safer Internet Day in Umuahia, where stakeholders reiterated the importance of digital safety, especially for young Internet users, Dr Chukwu called on parents, educators, and policymakers to play an active role in guiding young people towards responsible online behavior.
The Due Process Boss further urged the government and relevant stakeholders to strengthen cybersecurity laws and enforcement to curb cybercrimes and advocated for awareness campaigns, digital safety workshops and mentorship programs to help young people maximize the ethical usage of the internet for personal and avoiding its dangers.
While stressing the need for young people to be educated on the risks associated with the Internet and the best safety practices to adopt, he noted that though the Internet provides vast opportunities for education, innovation, and global connectivity, it also poses significant risks such as cybercrime, online fraud, identity theft, and exposure to harmful content.
Dr Chukwu, known for his strong engagement with the youth, expressed concern over the increasing involvement of young Nigerians in cyber-related crimes, lamenting that despite the numerous positive uses of the Internet, many young people are drawn into illegal activities such as hacking, online scams, and fraudulent schemes.
“This trend not only damages the nation’s reputation but also jeopardizes the future of the youth involved,” Chukwu lamented.
The Head Due Process and Public Procurement Bureau, described the 2025 theme for the Safer Internet Day, “Together for a Better Internet”, as timely, pointing out that it reminds users of the collective roles to play to ensure Internet safety.
According to him, achieving a safer Internet for young users is a collective responsibility, stressing that the yearly digital safety advocacy serves as a reminder that while technology can be a powerful tool for progress, its misuse could have severe consequences if not properly managed.
Dr Chukwu therefore reminded users of the need to exercise caution when sharing personal details such as full names, addresses, school or workplace information, National Identification Numbers (NIN), bank details, usernames, among other vital information online and as well, avoid clicking on random links or messages from unknown users.
