THE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said it is constantly evolving measures aimed at protecting telecoms consumers from the prying eyes of cybercriminals in the country.
Mrs Felicia Onwuegbuchulam, Director, NCC Consumer Affairs Bureau, made the disclosure at the 53rd Consumer Town Hall meeting of the commission, which took place in Oyo town, Oyo State, last week.
The town hall meeting with the theme, ‘Mitigating Effects of Cybercrimes: The Role of Telecoms Consumers’ as usul, was aimed at informing and educating consumers on the roles required of them in mitigating cybercrime.
Onwuegbuchulam, who was represented by her deputy, Alhaji Ismail Adedigba, said that NCC evolved the initiative to identify, discuss and jointly proffer effective solutions to different issues affecting telecoms consumers in the country.
“As a tripartite programme, the forum aims to, on a continuous basis, engage telecoms consumers by educating, informing and empowering them with information they need to know, their rights when violated by the service providers.
“Indeed, this has helped to guarantee improved services and value for money spent on telecoms services for the consumers. Telecoms consumers have been the ultimate beneficiaries of the initiatives,” she said.
Onwuegbuchulam said that consumers were important stakeholders in the current cyber space, saying individuals and corporate users of telecom devices often make use of internet in the connected world.
According to her, “it is our belief as a commission, that without consumers becoming aware of cybercrime trends and making efforts to ensure safe use of connected devices, cybercriminals will continue to make cyberspace unsafe.”
“Our belief is that the most effective ways to protect telecom consumers from effects of cybercrime is through continuous consumer education and awareness such as the one we are having here today.”
She said that the commission had embarked on various initiatives to increase access to the internet for Nigerians, adding that they are conscious of dishonest individuals using the internet for illegal activities.
“The hackers and cybercriminals deploy sophisticated systems to intrude into your connected devices as telecoms consumers to perpetrate their exploitation schemes.
“Cybercrime is on the increase. The commission is committed to using its various outreach programmes to embark on series of awareness campaigns with a view to keeping consumers well informed on the risks associated with being online,” she said.
Earlier, Adedigba in his personal address, said the town hall meeting (CTM) was to bring together telecoms consumers in the rural and semi-urban areas.
He said such was to bring them together with service providers as well as the regulator for a face-to-face interaction on telecom issues affecting the consumers.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, commended the NCC for educating the people on cybercrime, its various forms, the dangers it poses and the role expected of consumers in mitigating such danger.
Adeyemi, who was represented by Chief Yusuf Ayoola, the Bashorun of Oyo, called on NCC to make interface regular so as to reduce cybercrime drastically in the society.
The monarch also warned the youths to shun criminal activities among which was cybercrime, urging them to embrace honesty, patience and hard work which he said were hallmark of the Yoruba.
The event was attended by representatives of service providers, who also helped consumers in addressing their various telecoms issues.
Some of the participants who spoke with journalists commended NCC on the sensitisation programmes, promising to put into good use all they were taught at the programme.