Bauchi Speaker urges Cybersecurity Graduates to apply skills for national development.
By Rabiu Ishaq Muhammad:
The Speaker, Bauchi State House of Assembly, Dr. Abubakar Y. Suleiman, has urged graduates of the Cyber Nations Programme to deploy their newly acquired cybersecurity skills towards personal development, economic growth and national security.
The Speaker made the call during the graduation ceremony of more than 100 youths who completed a six month intensive training programme under the Cyber Nations initiative, held at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre, Bauchi.
Dr. Abubakar Suleiman congratulated the graduates on their achievement, noting that their dedication and commitment had brought them to a significant milestone with promising opportunities in cybersecurity, technical support and other technology related fields.
He encouraged them to embrace continuous learning, gain practical experience and obtain relevant professional certifications to improve their employment prospects and prepare them for consultancy and entrepreneurship opportunities.
The Speaker further stressed that their expertise could play a vital role in protecting public and private institutions against cyber threats, promoting responsible digital practices and strengthening public confidence in online services.
He also urged the graduates to support local businesses in adopting safer digital systems and educate members of their communities on online fraud, cybercrime and other emerging digital threats.
Dr. Abubakar Suleiman reaffirmed the commitment of the Bauchi State House of Assembly to working with the Executive Arm of Government to enact legislation that promotes the welfare of citizens and advances technological development.
He disclosed that the House had passed a bill providing for the establishment, development and regulation of an ecosystem for technology enabled startups and an innovation based economy, alongside the establishment of the Bauchi State Startup Fund.
In her remarks, the Country Representative of Protexxa, Hajiya Abi Hafsat, congratulated the graduates and commended Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for investing in the potential of young people and providing the resources needed to support the programme’s success.
Also speaking, Mr. Rick Huijbregts noted that while the programme was not the first of its kind in Nigeria, it was the first in Africa, adding that Protexxa had fulfilled its commitment to developing a new generation of skilled cybersecurity professionals.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Sulaiman Adamu; the Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone; the National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission.
