African Children Cyber Safety Forum 2010

REPORT OF THE AFRICAN CHILDREN CYBER SAFETY FORUM 2010 ORGANISED BY THE AFRICAN INFORMATION SECURITY ASSOCIATION (AISA) AND AFRICAN CHILDREN CYBER SAFETY INITIATIVE (ACCSI) TO MARK THE WORLD TELECOMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SOCIETY DAY (WTISD 2010) ON TUESDAY, 25TH MAY, 2010 AT GRACE SCHOOLS, GBAGADA, LAGOS, NIGERIA

Theme: Better City, Better Life and Security with ICTs for Young People

Introduction

May 25 2010 – The second edition of the annual African Children Cyber Safety Forum organised by the African Children Cyber Safety Initiative (ACCSI) and promoted by the African Information Security Association (AISA) was held on Tuesday, 25th May 2010 at Grace Schools, Gbagada, Lagos, Nigeria.

The forum, targeted at secondary school students, was well attended by the invited schools. The featured events were well received by participants and guests alike. Children who were the focus of the event did not fail in living up to the billing. Therefore by making the day their day, the organisers were not disappointed. Judging by the mood of the participants and the guests in particular, the significant role played by the children was highly encouraging. African children will go far! They will change the world.

The program began with an opening prayer, followed by the National Anthem which was sung by Miss Busayo Fayemi a student of Unique Children School, Omole, Lagos.

The learning atmosphere though serious was however interspersed with fun. Of course what else could be expected with children in the driver’s seat? With children in their element, it was a mix of learning, awareness, inspiration and entertainment. Who actually would not be encouraged to give his or her best when the hosts themselves – Grace Schools – presented all attendees with a serene, suitable and secure environment? Everything was in place; there was no cause for regret. What an unforgettable event!

Welcome Address: African Children Cyber Safety Forum

Sparing no time to waste, immediately after the national anthem was sung, the Convener of the Forum, Mr. JIde Awe, Founder/CEO of Jidaw Systems Limited, gave his Welcome Address. While welcoming the guests and participants to the historic event, he gave a brief background of the contributions of the main event promoter – AISA – in the last few years especially the promotion of information security in Africa through events, content and related activities.

He stressed that the marking of the annual World Telecommunications and Information Society Day (WTISD) by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is to raise awareness about the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can bring to societies and economies. This is to help consolidate the drive to bridge the digital divide. Indeed, it was at the event marking WTISD 2009 that AISA along with participating schools and NGOs resolved to establish the African Children Cyber Safety Initiative (ACCSI) that has now become the vehicle for the yearly WTISD.

Elaborating on the theme of this year’s Forum, “Better city, Better Life and Security with ICTs for Young Persons”, Mr. Awe underscored the benefits of ICT to children particularly in education, reading, communication and research. No doubt, in an ICT-driven world, nobody can afford to be digitally excluded. However, with technology as a neutral tool, these benefits come with attendant threats. Besides, with the reality of over half of the world’s children and population residing in the cities, the vulnerability of children and young persons must become an issue for concern.

The challenges posed to children by pornography, online violence, cyberbullying, internet fraud and anti-social coaching, among others are well documented. The factors that stimulated this troubling trend include ignorance, curiosity, peer pressure and poor values. Without doubt, children are not safe in the cities; they are not safe online. Mr. Awe, therefore, challenged the audience to work with AISA to ensure that ICT fulfils its potential so that it may become safe, worthwhile and rewarding for the growth and self-discovery of children.

After this revealing welcome to the event, what will be more interesting than listening to the children make their case?

African Children Cyber Safety Presentations by Participating Schools

The high point of the event was the presentations by the participating schools on the theme of the Forum.

STARS PERFORMERS – Busayo Fayemi and Victoria Idunoba who delivered a captivating presentation on behalf of Unique Children School Omole, Ikeja, Lagos

During the segment, the student-presenters gave a good account of themselves. Interestingly this aspect of the event was anchored by their fellow students of Grace Schools. The presenters were enthusiastic; the audience was engaged; figures were reeled out; definitions were given; problems were identified while pragmatic solutions were proffered. Notwithstanding the overriding youth-to-youth theme in their presentations, they did not fail in calling on the stakeholders to put in place measures to help protect children and young persons online.

School after school, they came and the audience listened with rapt attention. However, as kids, they made everybody play their game: we had fun. In all, 10 out of the 12 participating schools made presentations. Of particular interest was the presentation by the children of Unique Children School, Omole, Lagos, the only primary school out of the lot. The kids were sharp, focused and engaging. To the organisers, the two kids who represented the school Busayo Fayemi and Victoria Idunoba were the star performers. It was, indeed, a statement of hope that the future of ICT in Africa is bright.

Student Presenters

The student-presenters were as follows:

Femi Olusanya and Joshua Arogbofa presented for Grace High School Gbagada, Lagos
Busayo Fayemi and Victoria Idunoba presented for Unique Children School Omole, Lagos
Oluwakemi Oluseun presented for Queens College Yaba, Lagos
Durotoye Oluwatimilehin presented for Federal Government Girls Shagamu
Shodeinde Aaliyah presented for Chrisland High School
Dickson Okor Ekperi presented for Command Day Secondary School
Olaleye Olushola presented for Baptist Academy Obanikoro
Otinwa Seyi presented for International School, University of Lagos
Tolulope Ajiboye presented for Nigeria Airforce Secondary School
Ojo Ayomipo and Easter Isidahome presented for Gulf Flower High School Oworonshoki.

Sustaining ICT in Schools: African Children Cyber Safety Forum

One of the major volunteers and event organisers, Mr. Tajudeen Alabede of Digital Youth Initiative (DYI), made a presentation on the imperative of sustaining ICT in Schools.

While stressing the significance of ICT as the driver of development in modern age, he maintained that ICT in Schools remains the surest path to Nigeria’s technological development. To this end, he advocated the need to take ICT beyond the classrooms and ICT laboratories. The youth, he advised, must be engaged in activities that would deepen their interest in ICT. Among other things, he urged schools to initiate Computer Clubs; organise ICT-related events such as boot camps, excursions and competitions; engage in ICT research and publications; establish online engagements and network with youth-focused ICT organisations such as AISA and ACCSI.

Goodwill Messages -African Children Cyber Safety

Goodwill messages were given by some of the key guests at the event. These included Mrs. Ajibike Itegboye, Chairman, Education Committee of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), the Principal, Grace High School, Mr. Roland Cilliers and the Headmistress of Grace Children’s school, Mrs. Madhusri Saha who were all Special Guests at the event.

While commending the organisers for the laudable initiative, they all urged the children to take advantage of the opportunity that ICT presents to them. In a globalised world, they reminded the children, schools and fellow participants that ICT is the most important tool for global citizenship.

Besides, Mrs Itegboye urged governments at all levels to adopt a new national priority that would make ICT a core issue in national development.

All Work and No Play…

The students of Grace High School entertained the audience with drama on the evils of cybercrime and threats to the youth

The event was not all about ICT. It was well spiced with a good dose of entertainment.

Nigerian cultural dances were part of the entertainment provided by the students of Grace Children School.

Besides, the exceptional hosts, Grace Schools, treated the guests and participants to sumptuous meal. It was indeed a day to remember.

Closing

Oluwakemi Oluseun receiving the AISA certificate for Queens College Yaba from Headmistress, Grace Children’s school, Mrs. Madhusri Saha

In his closing remarks, the Convener, Mr. Jide Awe, while acknowledging the support received from the hosts, guests and participants urged students and participating schools to put all the issues addressed at the event to practical use. He advised all participants to spread awareness about ICT security and cyber safety. In addition, he appealed to the government to enact laws on cyber safety, equip security agencies and promote an environment and culture that would stem the growth of online threats and risks to children.

SPONSOR: Mrs. Olatokunbo Edun, Grace Schools Administrator

He hinted that as a follow-up to the event, the organisers plan to visit participating schools at future dates to engage, interact and confirm that schools are moving forward as expected. He remarked that Grace Schools had undoubtedly set an enviable standard in hosting. While thanking Grace Schools for being wonderful hosts, he challenged any of the other schools to bid to host the next Forum in 2011. Thrilled by the incredible, eye opening experience, several schools promised to rise up to the challenge.

Vote of Thanks

Mr. Adesina Adewale, a member of organising team, gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the organisers – AISA and ACCSI. He recognized the support received from the promoters, hosts, guests and participants. Furthermore, certificates of Participation were awarded to all the 12 participating schools. The Forum was attended by over 150 students.

Recommendations/Action Points

At the end of the 1-day event marking the African Children Cyber Safety Forum 2010 organised by the African Children Cyber Safety Initiative (ACCSI) and the African Information Security Association (AISA). It was held on Tuesday, 25th May 2010 at Grace Schools, Gbagada, Lagos, the following action points were therefore agreed to:

While realising the primacy of ICT to modern development, governments at all levels are urged to adopt a new national priority that mainstreams ICT into the national development agenda.
ICT stakeholders are implored to take practical steps towards closing the adult – child digital generation gap. This is to ensure a greater involvement of parents and guardians in their children’s online activities
All participants and other stakeholders are encouraged to spread awareness about ICT security and cyber safety.
There is a need for the government to enact laws on cyber safety, equip security agencies and promote an environment and culture that would stem the growth of online threats and risks to children.
All stakeholders – educators, students, cyber café owners, parents, government, ICT professionals, ICT companies and participants/investors in the education sector – working with children should explore ways to support the safe use of ICT.
Special attention must be given to the access points – home, schools, cyber cafés and hotspots – with a view to identifying the risks that children are exposed to.
Schools are encouraged to promote information security through students and staff. They should in addition initiate Computer Clubs to engage the young ones in purposeful ICT-related activities and expose them to career and entrepreneurship opportunities in ICT. These will help in stimulating positive, sustainable and focused ICT development and applications for students, teachers and administrators.
Schools and students are encouraged to network with youth-focused ICT organisations such as AISA and ACCSI. This is to help keep them abreast of developments in the ICT industry.
Participants and other children are encouraged to avail themselves of online social networks that focus on cyber safety. Of particular significance is the African Children Cyber Safety Online Group.
Participants and other stakeholders are urged to collaborate further with the African Information Security Association (AISA) and the African Children Cyber Safety Initiative (ACCSI) in their drive to protect children and young people online.