From Magnus Eze, Abuja
The Federal Government has vowed to enforce the Cybercrime Act 2015, in order to protect critical national information infrastructure and promote cyber security, thereby checking the excesses of online criminals.
Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, who stated this when the President/Chairman of Council, Computer Professionals (Registration Council of) Nigeria (CPN) visited him in his office, said full implementation of the Act will help accelerate the growth and contribution of information and communication technology (ICT) to nation building. Onu said: “We are happy that you maintain a very high standard; and also ensure that the cybercrime law that was promulgated in 2015 is being implemented, because we must protect our people against what we are seeing in other parts of the world.”
He also called on local computer manufacturers to always maintain high standards in their production, so as to remain competitive, adding that they should never be satisfied with whatever level of capability or capacity developed.
Earlier in his remarks, CPN President, Prof. Vincent Asor, sought the collaboration of the ministry in the implementation of the Cybercrime Act 2015, which specified that all cyber cafes in the country should be registered with CPN.
He noted that the team up of the two agencies with the National Communications Commission (NCC), towards the enforcement of the provisions of the Act, will protect Nigerians from cyber threats and attack.
Asor explained that the yet to be worked out details; will also ensure the “protection of computer systems, network, electronic communications, data and computer programmes, intellectual property and privacy rights of Nigerians.”