Against the backdrop of rising cases of Internet fraud and other criminal activities amongst Nigerian youths, the Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has cautioned youths in the state to desist from such criminal activities, saying the law would not spare anyone involved in such practices.
Okowa who gave the advice, Monday, during the presentation of starter packs to 593 Delta North graduands of the State’s Communications Technology – Youth Empowerment Programme, ICT-YEP, held at Government House, Asaba, urged the youths to maximise the positive aspect of the Internet and shun using it for mischief or outright criminal purposes.
According to Okowa, who was represented at the event by the State Commissioner for Youth Development, Comrade Ifeanyi Egwunyenga, there are lots of opportunities in the ICT world and urged the beneficiaries to maximise their potentials in the technology world.
He said, “the law is always there to deal with those who abuse ICT.
“Do not adopt ‘get rich quick mentality’, be steadfast in the pursuit of those ideas which will earn you honour and fame both at the national and international levels.
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“Go out there to convince the Delta state government and the people that the resources put into the training is worth the sacrifice.
“I am happy to be among our youths who have successfully undergone ICT-based training to equip themselves with relevant knowledge in information and communication technology capable of providing employment, not only for themselves but also for others.
“I congratulate you for successfully going through the programme, despite the hitches. ICT has become the fulcrum around which economies of local, international agencies, and even government at all levels revolve.
“It has permeated lives and livelihoods, opening vast opportunities for newer, faster, better and more reliable ways for people to interact, do business and seek help in various ways, including developing ideas on how set goals can be achieved.”
Speaking further, Okowa maintained that well-meaning youths across the globe are deploying ICT to prepare for and access economic opportunities, career counseling, job matching, entrepreneurship, and agriculture.
“Economic opportunities are key factors for youth migration as they do so due to the lack of opportunities for employment and personal growth in their homes, communities, and countries.
“We are determined to stem this tide, especially amongst our youths, by expanding the windows of opportunities for self-development in vocational training and equipping its graduates to start up their own agriculture and girl-child empowerment.
“ICT will help you build and maintain social networks capable of providing access to knowledge and know-how on virtually, all meaningful businesses and creativity capable of expanding the frontiers of knowledge by creating noble ways of using the Internet in a much better, secure, and faster way.
“While you use the knowledge you have acquired for meaningful engagements with the wider society, you should also challenge yourself on how best you can improve on the ICT, as areas of widening the usage are still open.
“Once again, I congratulate you and may God grant you wisdom to deplore the knowledge gathered to both your advantage, that of your families and the state in general”, he added.
