PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
ITU appoints Nigerian First Lady to champion child online protection
New York, US (PANA) - The First Lady of Nigeria, Patience Jonathan, was on Monday appointed as the UN International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) Child Online Protection
Champion.
"Dame Patience Jonathan has demonstrated deep interest in activities of children and young people,” PANA quoted ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Toure as saying at a brief ceremony.
Toure said: "Under her guidance, the Government of Nigeria is now taking extensive steps to ensure a safer online environment for children. ITU is looking forward to collaborating even more closely with Nigeria to build a better future for our children."
Among her responsibilities, the First Lady will work toward creating a safe environment for children while they are on the internet, as well as push for reforms not only in the Africa region but across the globe.
Noting that children and youth were among the top users of the Internet, Ms. Jonathan, who is also President of the African First Ladies Peace Mission, pledged to join hands with ITU to secure the children of the world from the dangers of cyber crime.
Launched in 2008, the Child Online Protection (COP) initiative aims to identify risks and vulnerabilities to children in cyberspace, create awareness, develop practical tools to help minimize risk, and share knowledge and experience.
ITU launched the COP initiative in 2008 as part of the overall thrust to strengthen cyber security.
According to the UN agency, its COP brings together partners from various sectors to ensure a safe and secure online experience for children around the world.
Earlier on Monday, ITU signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Communication Commission to set up a Regional Cyber security Centre in the African country.
The Centre will facilitate collaboration on combating cyber threats at the regional and national levels – with emphasis on activities related to protecting children online.
-0- PANA AA/MA 22July2013
Champion.
"Dame Patience Jonathan has demonstrated deep interest in activities of children and young people,” PANA quoted ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Toure as saying at a brief ceremony.
Toure said: "Under her guidance, the Government of Nigeria is now taking extensive steps to ensure a safer online environment for children. ITU is looking forward to collaborating even more closely with Nigeria to build a better future for our children."
Among her responsibilities, the First Lady will work toward creating a safe environment for children while they are on the internet, as well as push for reforms not only in the Africa region but across the globe.
Noting that children and youth were among the top users of the Internet, Ms. Jonathan, who is also President of the African First Ladies Peace Mission, pledged to join hands with ITU to secure the children of the world from the dangers of cyber crime.
Launched in 2008, the Child Online Protection (COP) initiative aims to identify risks and vulnerabilities to children in cyberspace, create awareness, develop practical tools to help minimize risk, and share knowledge and experience.
ITU launched the COP initiative in 2008 as part of the overall thrust to strengthen cyber security.
According to the UN agency, its COP brings together partners from various sectors to ensure a safe and secure online experience for children around the world.
Earlier on Monday, ITU signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Communication Commission to set up a Regional Cyber security Centre in the African country.
The Centre will facilitate collaboration on combating cyber threats at the regional and national levels – with emphasis on activities related to protecting children online.
-0- PANA AA/MA 22July2013
