Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN), a social enterprise that connects Nigerian youth with ICT-enabled opportunities, has partnered with Microsoft Nigeria to launch an internet campaign to obtain signatures for an online petition that will be forwarded to legislators for the required cybercrime legislation that Nigeria needs. This initiative was made public at the Press Conference which took place on Friday, 19 August 2011 in Lagos.
According to Mr. ‘Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria, the prevalence of cybercrime among a sizeable number of young Nigerians goes to show the need for immediate concern, especially with the recent boom in mobile service provision and online payment platforms in Nigeria. The organisation is therefore advocating for a youth-led push for cybercrime legislation because this is where their impact is greatest.
The initiative will be supported by a six-month grant from the World Bank’s Civil Society Fund for the advocacy work required to lobby for cybercrime legislation. Microsoft will participate in the initiative through its Microsoft Internet Safety, Security and Privacy Initiative for Nigeria (MISSPIN), a social campaign that directs the spotlight to the issue of internet safety while also providing a platform for other industry players to work together.
The petition can be signed at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/cln/
About PIN:
PIN is a social enterprise that connects Nigerian youth with ICT-enabled opportunities. PIN’s projects build on years of combined experience and focus on socio-economic development. These projects include Ajegunle.org, ISSPIN and TENT. Through these projects and its allied services, PIN connects individuals, people-groups, institutions and communities with the socio-economic opportunities that ICTs provide.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq ‘MSFT’) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
For full details, click below [showhide type=”pressrelease”]World Bank lends support for companies’ advocacy initiative to ensure prompt cybercrime legislation in the country
Lagos, Nigeria 19 August, 2011 – Nigeria reports one of the highest numbers of cybercrime incidents in the world and was recently ranked 3rd, in a report by the Internet Crime Complaint Center which tracks the prevalence of cybercrime globally. Today, Microsoft Corp. and Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN), with support from the World Bank, launched a joint campaign to spur prompt cybercrime legislation in the country, calling on Nigerian youth to play a key role in the advocacy effort.
As part of the initiative, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN), a social enterprise that connects Nigerian youth with ICT-enabled opportunities, has launched an internet campaign @ http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/cln/, to obtain signatures for an online petition that will be forwarded to legislators for the required cybercrime legislation that Nigeria needs.
Says Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria: “The prevalence of cybercrime among a sizeable number of young Nigerians goes to show the need for immediate concern, especially with the recent boom in mobile service provision and online payment platforms in Nigeria. We’re advocating for a youth-led push for cybercrime legislation because this is where we feel we’ll have the greatest impact.”
The initiative will be supported by a six-month grant from the World Bank’s Civil Society Fund for the advocacy work required to lobby for cybercrime legislation. Microsoft will participate in the initiative through its Microsoft Internet Safety, Security and Privacy Initiative for Nigeria (MISSPIN), a social campaign that directs the spotlight to the issue of internet safety while also providing a platform for other industry players to work together.
Furthermore, highlighting the importance of public and private sector working together to eliminate cybercrime and foster legitimate economic opportunity for Nigerians, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has also worked with Microsoft and PIN on the initiative, providing initial government support, guidance and funding for the Maga no Need Pay Song Project which drew significant attention to the menace of cybercrime in the country.
“Internet fraud in Nigeria is a problem that continues to victimize people around the world, and has a significant impact on the country’s ability to do business globally,” says Ugochukwu Nwosu, Partners in Learning Project Manager, Microsoft Nigeria. “We believe the public and private sector must work together to eliminate cybercrime and foster legitimate economic opportunity for Nigerians, and we’re pleased to support PIN through MISSPIN in partnership the World Bank on an initiative we hope will result in the passage of much-needed cybercrime legislation.”
Says Caroline Sage, Senior Social Development Specialist and CSF Coordinator, World Bank: “The World Bank civil Society Fund is glad to support this youth-led intervention on cybercrime legislation led by Paradigm Initiative Nigeria because we believe it will help lay the foundation towards solving a problem that needs urgent attention. We look forward to the use of social media in the campaign and believe that other winners of the grant will add value in their respective areas of intervention.”
“We are excited to work with Microsoft, Economic & Financial Crimes Commission and the World Bank to raise more awareness on the need for cybercrime legislation in Nigeria,” says Gbenga Sesan. “More than at any other time in the history of Nigeria, now is the time for all stakeholders – youth, government, private sector, civil society, media, and academia – to ask for accelerated passage of firm but fair piece of legislation. We are asking Nigerians to call on the leadership of the National Assembly to accelerate the passage of a much-needed bill.”
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq ‘MSFT’) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Editorial contacts:
Olabisi Soleye
ITG Communications for Microsoft Nigeria
08024723100, 08037188747[/showhide]
