Expert Challenges Youths on Digital Innovation, Internet Benefits

Emma Okonji

A tech enthusiast and pioneer promoter of the digital economy, Dr. Bayero Agabi has advised Nigerian youths to shun all forms of internet scams and embrace digital innovations, stressing that there is lot of money to be made legitimately, while leveraging the internet.

Bayero gave the advice while making his opening remarks as the National Coordinator of the Centre for Cyber Awareness and Development (CECAD), which organised World Wide Web (WWW) celebration conference in Lagos last week.

According to Bayero, “the internet has proven all over the world to be a legitimate revenue spinner for individuals, corporate organizations and even governments. Thus, there is really no need to be involved in fraudulent activities while using the Internet.”

He said: “Rather than leverage the power of the internet for fraudulent activities, our youths should learn various online skills available and begin to make real and legitimate money.”

He disclosed that while some young Nigerians were making good money from uploading captivating videos on YouTube, others were involved in coding and some other ICT skills that fetched them regular income even from international organisations.

“As organisations, individuals and societies continue to go digital, we would like to canvass for the responsible use of the internet. Don’t do today what you will not be proud off tomorrow. Use the internet responsibly,” Bayero advised further.

He also warned that as the usage internet grows, there would be specific harmful effects associated with it. Such effects, according to him included internet addiction, information overload, harm to social relationships, harm to cognitive development, harm to public/private boundaries, harmful effects on knowledge and beliefs and harm to democracy and democratic citizenships.

The World Wide Web Day celebration is a global celebration dedicated to web browsing, online activity that brings wealth of knowledge to the youth population. The day was set aside for celebration about how the internet created an environment for collaboration and business growth.