Today marked a significant milestone in the realm of cybersecurity as the “NoGoFallMaga, Confam Am Again” campaign was officially launched at Radisson Blu, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The campaign, aimed at creating public awareness about cybersecurity, brought together high-profile dignitaries from both the public and private sectors to champion the cause, with Broda Shaggi, the popular Nigerian Comedian, being the brand Ambassador to simplify awareness, making the initiative as inclusive as possible.
The distinguished gathering witnessed an insightful address by Festus Amede, Chairman of the Committee of Chief Information Security Officers of Nigeria Financial Industry (CCISONFI), who set the tone for the event. His welcome speech resonated with the essence of the “NoGoFallMaga, Confam Am Again” campaign, emphasizing the critical role of strategic partnerships with entities such as the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bankers’ Committee, CCISONFI, The Hook Creative Agency and the Cybersafe Foundation in the fight against cybercrime and financial fraud.
“The Financial industry has witnessed an increased adoption of digital/technology platforms in responding to CBN financial inclusion initiatives and post Covid-19 pandemic crisis which in no thanks led digital innovation globally. This increased innovation and use of digital platforms has greatly transformed the cyber & technology landscape thereby giving rise to new risks, especially with sustaining trust and confidence in customers’ ability to communicate, and transact securely within the financial ecosystem.
A loss of such trust and confidence could undermine the benefits of the CBN’s financial Inclusion & cashless economy or the ability to continually leverage technology as an enabler of social and economic development. Hence there is a need to constantly address the related challenges of ensuring continuous cybersecurity and data privacy,” Amede stated.
The Committee of Chief Information Security Officers of Nigerian Financial Institutions (CCISONFI), established to guide and provide advisory services related to Cyber, Data, and Information Security across the Nigerian Financial & Payment Ecosystem, has been a key force in addressing the evolving cyber threat landscape.
Peter Obadare, Chairman of the Cybersafe Foundation, and Sam Ochonma, MD of The Hook Creative Agency, elaborated the importance of building the human firewall through enhanced cybersecurity awareness among the Nigerian populace.
This sentiment was echoed by Igboa Abumere, Chairman of CCISONFI, who highlighted the need to capture and combat various tactics employed by cybercriminals, thus empowering individuals to protect themselves against cyber threats.
Favour Femi-Oyewole, Group CISO at Access Bank Plc, underscored the goal of reaching the unbanked and underserved, and stressed the importance of collective efforts in the fight against cybercrime.
In her words: “Many people are still falling victim every day, divulging their sensitive information that they will still use to defraud them. Oftentimes, people ignorantly fall victim. We all are fighting the same course and we cannot do it alone.”
The event culminated with a poignant closing remark by Bayo Adeyinka, representing the Financial Literacy and Public Enlightenment Sub-Committee, emphasizing the commitment to dispelling ignorance surrounding cybercrime and fostering a well-informed community.
The “NoGoFallMaga, Confam Am Again” campaign seeks to reach over 40 million customers in its first two years, transcending language barriers with its content available in major Nigerian languages, including Pidgin English.
The public applauds the initiative taken by the Cybersafe Foundation and its partners to create a safer digital landscape for Nigerians. Through collaborative efforts and strategic partnerships, the campaign is poised to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools necessary to protect themselves against cyber threats.
