Safe

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Cyber

Opex

In a world where digital threats loom large, the need for robust cybersecurity measures has never been more critical. This urgency has driven the launch of the SafeCyber Community Initiative, a pioneering program aimed at increasing cybersecurity awareness and promoting digital literacy across Lagos, Oyo, and Osun states in Nigeria.&nbsp; 
The initiative, launched on August 14, 2024, at the Ikeja American Corner in Lagos, is designed to equip young people, start-up founders, and entrepreneurs with the knowledge and resources needed to safeguard their online presence and prevent financial fraud. 
The launch event was graced by <a href="https://technext24.com/2022/07/05/jennifer-foltz-us-women-empowerment-tech/" target="_blank" data-type="link" data-id="https://technext24.com/2022/07/05/jennifer-foltz-us-women-empowerment-tech/" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Consul</a> General Will Stevens, who delivered an insightful address emphasising the United States government’s commitment to advancing cybersecurity and fostering stability in cyberspace.&nbsp; 
It is about, “helping digital innovators and entrepreneurs and small businesses to build better safer businesses in the cyber environment.” 
“This is about helping entrepreneurs, small business leaders to secure their businesses, secure their digital enterprises so that they’re able to be safe from hackers and also build awareness about the threats that are out there,” Stevens noted. He further highlighted the global nature of cybersecurity challenges, stressing the importance of international collaboration in addressing these threats. 
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 <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="5184" height="3456" src="https://technext24.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/IMG_1626.jpg" alt="U.S. Consul General Will Stevens at the launch of CyberSafe Community Initiative" class="wp-image-234546">
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 U.S. Consul General Will Stevens at the launch of SafeCyber Community Initiative
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“We used to say we need African solutions for African problems. What we actually need are African solutions to global solutions. We need to be working together to solve the global challenge of cybercrime.”&nbsp; 
When asked how this initiative aligns with U.S. efforts to ensure stability in cyberspace and ensure economic prosperity, he noted that there are deep ties between US and Nigerian businesses.&nbsp; 
“You see U.S. companies supporting Nigerian companies and vice versa. There are also deep ties between our civil societies where you have activists and advocates working together, but also in our government.&nbsp; 
“We’re working together with the government of Nigeria to combat cybercrime, to work together to build a safer and more secure future. That includes both in AI, where Nigeria has been a leading proponent of some of the key initiatives that the US has sponsored at the United Nations.” 
The SafeCyber Community Initiative is the brainchild of Osazee Isonarae, an alumnus of the U.S. Department of State’s <a href="https://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/international-visitor-leadership-program-ivlp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Visitors Leadership Program</a> (IVLP).&nbsp; 
Isonarae, inspired by his experiences during the exchange program, identified a pressing need to extend cybersecurity resources to Nigeria’s small businesses, which are often vulnerable to cyber-attacks.&nbsp; 
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 Osazee Isonarae, SafeCyber Community Initiative
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“Down here, the big companies are well protected; they can afford cybersecurity tools, but small businesses are the target here in Nigeria,” Isonarae explained during the event. He pointed out that many small businesses, particularly fintechs and microfinance banks, struggle to comply with government regulations on cybersecurity, making them easy prey for cybercriminals. 
The initiative seeks to bridge this gap by providing free tools, resources, and best practices to small business owners.&nbsp; 
Isonarae emphasised that beyond purchasing expensive cybersecurity tools, there are several compliance measures and free resources that businesses can adopt to protect themselves from cyber threats.&nbsp; 
The initiative’s holistic approach includes year-long capacity-building workshops and community awareness programs led by cybersecurity professionals like Opex Consulting which were present at the launch.&nbsp; 
The founder, of Opex Consulting, Musibau Lasisi, noted that the initiative is not an attempt to compete with FG’s 3MTT, but has a target to raise one million Nigerians within the tech space.&nbsp; 
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 <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="5184" height="3456" src="https://technext24.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/IMG_1606.jpg" alt="Founder, Opex Consulting, Musibau Lasisi at the launch of CyberSafe Community Initiative" class="wp-image-234547">
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 Founder, Opex Consulting, Musibau Lasisi at the launch of CyberSafe Community Initiative
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These efforts are not only aimed at protecting businesses but also at fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness among the broader community. 
The U.S. Consul General also pointed out the long history of U.S. exchange programs, which have been building bridges between Nigeria and the United States for over 70 years. This is the reason that this partnership is live.&nbsp; 
“This is a global challenge. So we need to be working together to address this global challenge. That’s why we’re so proud to sponsor this from the United States Mission, and we’re proud to see one of our alumni participating and bringing it back to his community,” Stevens added. 
As the SafeCyber Community Initiative kicks off, its organisers have set ambitious goals for the coming months.&nbsp; 
Isonarae outlined the key milestones they hope to achieve by the end of the year, including training 320 young people and small business owners across the three target states.&nbsp; 
“Within the next six months, we hope to have trained about 320 young people, small business owners, on best practices and how to protect their businesses from being the target of these criminals,” he stated. 
The initiative’s first phase will focus on Lagos, Ibadan, and Osun, with plans to expand to other states in the future.&nbsp; 
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 L-R: Adeniyi Ogunbanjo, acting director, American Corner, Ikeja; Founder, Opex Consulting, Musibau Lasisi; U.S. Consul General, Will Stevens; Osazee Isonarae
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A major highlight will be the SafeCyber Conference scheduled for October 2024 in Ibadan, coinciding with the U.S. National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This conference will bring together students from universities studying cybersecurity and computer science, creating a community that will continue to advocate for cybersecurity awareness and education long after the initiative’s initial phase concludes. 
Despite being in its early stages, the SafeCyber Community Initiative has already sparked interest in expanding its reach.&nbsp; 
“There are plans to expand beyond these three states, but for a start, because we’re just launching this project for the first time, we adopted these three states,” Isonarae confirmed. The initiative’s long-term vision is to establish a nationwide network of cybersecurity-aware individuals and businesses, ultimately contributing to a safer digital environment across Nigeria.
The post <a href="https://technext24.com/2024/08/14/us-consular-launch-safecyber-initiative/">U.S., IVLP Alum launches SafeCyber Community Initiative to promote digital literacy in Lagos, Oyo, Osun</a> first appeared on <a href="https://technext24.com">Technext</a>.

U.S., IVLP Alum launches SafeCyber Community Initiative to promote digital literacy in Lagos, Oyo, Osun

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