SGF urges youths to shun cybercrime, pornography 

The Secretary To the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume has urges youths to avoid pornography, cybercrime and other related offences.

Akume who made this known Thursday at Nigeria-Inter Religious Council (NIREC) 2024 First Quarter Meeting in Abuja with the theme: “The Role of Religious Leaders in Combating Corruption and Cybercrime” said the cancer of cybercrime was fast spreading globally with devastating consequences.

Akume said these manifests in form of terrorism, illicit monetary flow, ritual activities to acquire riches, modern slavery and human trafficking, disruption of economic systems through hacking and destruction of moral values through pornography, Peoples Daily reports.

According Akume, “Most worrisome today, is the meteoric but infamous rise in Cybercrime among our youths on various technology platforms. The cancer of cybercrime is fast spreading globally with devastating consequences. These include rise in terrorism, illicit monetary flow, ritual activities to acquire riches, modern slavery and human trafficking, disruption of economic systems through hacking and destruction of moral values through pornography.

“I must quickly add that to enjoy the gains of all these efforts, all hands must remain on deck to fight corruption, cybercrime and associated criminal tendencies, for the purpose of restoring our values and national integrity.

“Let me remind us that corruption is a deadly virus that destroys the fabrics of a nation in multilayer and multi- dimensional ways. Simply put, corruption is the misuse and betrayal of trust, power and authority for whatever purpose. Without formidable systems, institutions, integrity and character, no system and no individual can be insulated from it. It is not unusual therefore, to find corruption within the political, traditional, faith based, community, social, youth and family institutions and systems” he said.

Also speaking, Co-Chairman of NIREC and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar lll urged all religious leaders to live exemplary life that would motivate the youth into doing something good for the society.

Archbishop (Dr) Daniel C. Okoh, President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in his remarks said theme of the event would afford them opportunity to sincerely evaluate their leadership and encourage one another to continue in their commitment to work towards a better society for all.