First Lady, RoLAC, Others Laud EFCC’s 24/7 Rapid Response Desk

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, some state governors, religious and traditional leaders, the EU-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC II) Programme of International IDEA, and other stakeholders have lauded the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), 24/7 Rapid Response Desk launched in Abuja on Tuesday.

They spoke at the one-day National Cybercrime Prevention Summit organised by the EFCC with the support of the European Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC II) Programme of the International IDEA, with the theme: Alternative to Cybercrimes: Optimising Cyber Skills for National Development.

The stakeholders harped on the need for all to support the anti-graft agency’s bid to eradicate crimes associated with internet technologies and to find lasting solutions to the increasing menace of cybercrime in the country.

In a keynote, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, observed that the summit’s theme resonates deeply with the current challenges encountered in Nigeria and across the globe.

She said that cybercrime is not just a crime against individuals or businesses; it is an assault on the collective integrity of the people, economic stability, and the future of the youth.

Speaking at the occasion, the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, commended the commission and other anti-crime agencies for their efforts in dissuading the minds of youths against crime and assured of the support from the governors.

Also, the governor of Zamfara State, Mr Dauda Lawal, observed that the EFCC and other anti-graft agencies should not ignore cybercrime.

Earlier, the EFCC’s chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, stated that the menace of cybercrimes, like most economic and financial crimes, is a burning challenge that cannot be denied, ignored, or wished away.

In goodwill, the Head of the Programme of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), Mr Danladi Plang, observed that, as technology progresses, reliance upon it has escalated, increasing cybercrime.