Cyber security: NERDC partners Google to train 100,000 pupils on internet safety

Internet company, Google, and the The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) have partnered to train 100,000 pupils on a safe use of the Internet.

The event was organised to mark this years World Safer Internet Day.

The training was facilitated by the Public and Private Development Centre, through its Digital Inclusion and Safer Internet programme.

Speaking at the event, Policy Lead Coordinator for Google Nigeria, Seember Nyager, stated that the partnership was meant to enlighten pupils on responsible use of the Internet in line with cyber security.

Nyager said, “As the Internet grows, so does the need for safety, privacy and security online. Google is and has been committed to helping to make the Internet safer and more useful for everyone. Through initiatives like our Web Rangers programme, we educate young Nigerians in secondary schools to explore the Internet and use our Google applications safely.

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“We also want to help children to learn how to be safer, more confident explorers of the online world with programmes such as this. This programme will see a Google-designed online safety curriculum integrated into junior secondary schools nationwide.”

Also speaking, the NERDC Executive Secretary, Prof. Ismail Junaidu, noted that the council is working on integrating online safety courses into the national curriculum for secondary schools.

He said, “We are pleased to partner Google and the PPDC to ensure that Nigerian pupils are safe as they explore the online world and maximise all the benefits that the Internet offers. That is why we have embraced the initiative to infuse online safety courses into the national curriculum for Nigerian schools.

“Safer Internet Day 2019 highlights the evolving challenges and opportunities that are presented to young people online, by calling attention to how the industry, government and the public can help to provide the critical thinking, knowledge, resilience and support children’s need to be safe online.”