By Theresa Igata

Lagos State government has called for partnership in waging war against cybercrime and its attendant threats.

This was according to the Commissioner,  Lagos State Ministry of Science and Technology, Olufemi Odubiyi who was speaking at the launch of West African Cyber Security Summit organised by Afrocet Montgomery in collaboration with KPMG. He said that the government is not turning blind eyes to the numerous problems posed by cyber criminals in a sector that is driving economic growth and innovation.

The Commissioner who was represented by the permanent Secretary in the ministry Mrs. Olufunmilayo Balogun  added, “our nation’s cyberspace is being exploited and abused,  a free and fair cyberspace is a prerequisite for a befitting from the cyberspace. ”

“The Lagos State government is integrating the National Cyber Security Strategy, NCSS, and currently working on identifying clear processes to take messages to users and targeted audiences in order to reinforce cybersecurity.”

Odubiyi however cautioned that individuals when accessing information in business centres,  while online users he advised should also desist from clicking links that would endanger their safety online.

Experts at the summit have also reiterated the fact of collaboration and partnership.

For the Assistant  Commissioner of Police,  ACP,  Interpol annex,  Lagos,  Alonge Samuel Adebowale ” it’s quite unfortunate that both governments and individuals pay more attention to terrorism, robbery, kidnapping etc. more than cybercrime, which is a problem.”

Adebowale who represented the CP Interpol, Olusola Zubair added that proper legislation is key, as countries do not know how to prosecute cyber crime cases because judges and prosecutors are not properly trained.

“There should be partnership,  harmonisation and integration of the identification of databases.”