By Abdullahi Yusuf
A coalition of Civil Society Organizations, Nigeria First Project(NF-PRO), has urged Nigerians to support the Federal Government’s implementation of its newly-introduced cybersecurity levy.
The coalition which made the call while addressing a press conference at the NUJ press centre,Kano,on Tuesday,said the citizens’ support for the levy was imperative in view of its immense benefits to the nation.
According to the group which spoke through its Coordinator,Comrade Hamza Umar Saulawa, such benefits include prospects of increased funding from internal sources for the nation’s security agencies that coordinate and fight CyberCrimes and terrorism.
“This coalition of like-minded Civil Society Organizations(CSOs) is in full support of the Implementation of the Cybersecurity levy, and 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,” it said.
The coalition condemned what it called an ongoing hysterical vicious campaign against the cybersecurity 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 Cybersecurity 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,” it said.
The coalition said Nigerians should understand that cybercrime is not only undermining Nigeria’s economy,but has also continued to tarnish its image globally.
“Today, innocent Nigerians all over the world are being unfairly treated with suspicion at airports, embassies,motorparks,etc.Indeed, it is so embarrassing that whenever there is a discussion about cybercrime anywhere,the first people who come to mind are Nigerians.
“Many innocent Nigerians are being embarrassed, humiliated and profiled because of the activities of cyber criminals.Many Nigerians have lost golden opportunities because of this terrible phenomenon.
“Also,innocent hardworking Nigerians have continued to lose their hard-earned fortunes to cybercriminals. For instance,according to Nigerian Communications Commission(NCC), Nigeria loses $500 million to cybercriminals, annually.
“Now,we have an opportunity to reverse this trend.We,therefore, urge all Nigerians to objectively and without any prejudice ,examine this landmark clause: “Cybersecurity Levy” in its entirety.They would surely see its great prospects to our country,” the group added.