TECHDIGEST – Civil Society Legislative Advocacy (CISLAC), an NGO, has urged Nigerians, particularly students, to use TIMBY App to report cases of sexual exploitation.

Civil Society Legislative Advocacy (CISLAC), an NGO, has urged Nigerians, particularly students, to use TIMBY App to report cases of sexual exploitation known as “sextortion’’.

TIMBY App is a platform for reporting cases of sexual abuse where victims can seek psychological support and redress.

Hajia Hadiza Kangiwa, a CISLAC board member, gave the advice at a sensitisation programme for tertiary institutions’ in Lagos on Monday.

Kangiwa said that the programme was part of activities achieved by the NGO with the support of German Agency for International Cooperation to address sextortion experienced by students in higher Institutions.

“The programme is organised to educate students of tertiary institutions in Lagos State on sexual exploitation, particularly from the anti-corruption perspective.

“The idea is for you to speak out, seek redress and psychological support as we are approaching it from anti-corruption perspective.

“Some boys also experience abuses and harassment, hence, the stereotype by the society that females are the only victims of sextortion should be reconsidered,’’ she said.

The CISLAC official advised participants to take advantage of TIMBY APP to get justice, noting that some people are abused but are ignorant of means to get help or apprehend perpetrators.

She added that it was in the quest to finding solution to reports of sexual abuse that CISLAC created electronic channel known as TIMBY App, a physical complaint and reporting channels.

Meanwhile, one of the participants, Mr Oluwaseun Waheed, a Lagos State University (LASU) student, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the programme was wonderful initiative.

Waheed said the programme on sextortion has exposed him on approach to assist colleagues that are affected.

“I have learnt about ‘TIMBY’ App courtesy of CISLAC. The take home which I will use my position as student union leader is to ensure that other students benefit.

“We are going to infuse five minutes pep talk in our orientation programme and student union activity week, to further create awareness on sextortion and how to access the App”,’’ he said.

The LASU student said there was need to extend the awareness to primary and secondary schools to instill the knowledge in children early enough.

Also, Miss Ijeoma Edozie, Student, Harvard College Business and Management Studies, Abeokuta, said that sextortion had been a major challenge faced by students, particularly females in the course of academic pursuit.

Edozie said that TIMBY App would curb activities of perpetrators since they would be apprehended and made to face the law if caught.

She said that the speakers had opened the understanding of participants for them to know when their rights are being violated.

“With TIMBY App, such cases will be tackled and the quest to eradicate sextortion in higher institutions will be achieved. There are legal bodies partnering the NGO involved in this race,” she added.

Meanwhile, Mrs Bathsheba Tagwai, CISLAC Legal Officer, said the programme was aimed at informing participants that sextortion was wrong and a corruption practice which involved both gender.

“The stereotype by society that females are the only victims of sextortion should be reconsidered, there are cases where males fall victims even though not so prevalent,’’ she said.

Tagwai said that the NGO had taken the sensitisation to Abuja, (North Central); Akwa-Ibom, (South South) and Lagos, (South West) while plans are in progress to take the campaign to other states.

NAN reports that no fewer than 100 students from LASU, Federal College of Education, Akoka, YABATECH, Adeniran Ogunsaya, Michael Otedola College of Education, UNILAG and Harvard College Business and Management Studies, Abeokuta, participated in the one-day programme. (NAN)

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TECHDIGEST – Civil Society Organizations, experts and stakeholders have made recommendations towards better use of social media in Nigeria and the African continent.

The stakeholders stated their position at the just concluded Pan-African social Media summit held on Saturday at Roses Regency hotel in Abuja, the Nigerian Capital City.

The event had the theme “social media as a tool for media advancement , socio-economic development and Digital economy”.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of CITAD who also doubles as the Chairman of the event, Yunusa Yau, noted that the role of the social media in the society has become more important especially with current day realities, he however expressed worry that despite the position of the United Nations on internet being accessible for all, the legislators and government in Nigeria are out to control it. He stated that the instance of Twitter ban highlights such development, he noted also that instead of banning Twitter, the government should have opined on better ways to use the platform.

He stated that the discussion on social media usage in Nigeria continues to play a pivotal and key role in the age and times of the country.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Image Merchant Promotions Limited, Yushau Shuaib while weighing in on the theme noted that since all other medias are regulated in the country, there is a need to regulate the platform so as to ensure more appropriate use, he stated that it is improper to allow indiscriminate use of social media platforms which endangers the existence and peace of the country. Yushau, a global award winning Public Relations expert also shared ways to verify fake news, use social media appropriately to delegates at the summit.

He spoke also on Social media influencers and Nigerian Unity, highlighting role played by social media users with large followers in spread of fake news and propaganda and need to ensure a control to this misuse.

Executive director of CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani, however noted that the social media helps to democratize the country unlike traditional media houses being controlled by the government; he stated that the freewill to use the social media should not be up for governmental control.

Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Honorable Abike Dabiri-Erewa who was represented by the Chief Information Officer of the commission, Violet Nwosu, stated that the social media has become an important tool for diaspora and international projection of the country, she urged that the social media be used as a tool to project the success story of Nigerians at the international level and also as a tool for diaspora integration.

The Association of Nigerian Authors President, Camillus Ulah, represented by the Abuja Chairman of the Association, Taiwo Akerele, charged the government to listen to the plight of Nigerians many of which are anchored via the social media, he expressed concern over the gag on the platform which serves as a tool for change. Speaking in same vain, the editor of Youthsdigest, Gidado Shuaib noted that while there has been many clamor for regulation of the social media, the government of the country cannot be the one to do such regulation
Lekan Otufodunrin who is the executive director at Media Career Development Services Network noted that it is harsh for the government to throw away the baby and birth water, referring to suspension of Twitter in the country, he opined that efforts should be made to ensure better promotion on use of the social media.

“If there are clamors for regulation of the platform, the question remains who is the going to regulate it, the government of the day cannot be the one because even without the regulation of social media, they are already regulating us by force”. He recommended more awareness on proper use of the social media while urging Nigerians to go beyond social media to ensure real change.

Alibob Cinwon, who is the organizer of the National Youth Dialogue, also noted that the ban on Crypto-currency in the country would not serve an accurate purpose, he noted that there is a need for the government to align themselves with technological advancement including training on proper use of social media than to ignore the importance especially in the quest for a digital economy.
In his words “If we fail to integrate technology appropriately, it will integrate itself and pass us by”

The special assistant to the Minister of Youth and Sports on ICT and Corporate Relations, Kemi Ann Areola stated that the social media has been used wrongly most times by Nigerians while urging that an appropriate use of the social media be encouraged, she noted that there are more opportunities on social media than cyber bulling and at such more efforts must be made to make Nigerians aware of these.
Other speakers including the founder of Marian Mobile Health foundation, Marian Egbis also harped the importance of the social media.

A social media awareness campaign was launched at the event with the aim to teach more Nigerians on better use of the social media and ensure its use for societal development.

The launching which was led by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) Executive Director Yunusa Yau, also had CISLAC Executive Director Auwal Rafsanjani, Chief Executive Officer IMPR Yushau Shuaib among other distinguished personalities.
The Pan-African Social Media Summit which started in 2016 as Nigerian Social Summit is in its sixth year, the event was also streamed on Zoom and Facebook platforms respectfully.

The summit which is hosted by Techmirror Magazine was sponsored by Centre for Information Technology and Development, Penlight New Media Center and Media Career Development Network among other partners.

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TECH DIGEST – Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) led by its Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, on Monday, paid an advocacy visit to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to discuss a collaboration on civilian protection.
The advocacy visit aimed to secure the partnership of the NHRC, to agree a right-based approach to protection of civilians and engage a framework on civilian harm mitigation.
“Providing adequate protection is a daunting task,” Mr Rafsanjani said. “It is a task that needs the closest possible coordination to be effective.”
“The parliament has an oversight role to play on civilian casualties. It is vital that their knowledge and contributions are factored into discussion of protection issues.
CISLAC, with support from Open Society Initiative for West Africa, OSIWA, has been mobilizing champions within government, military, and civil society to advance policies and practices that minimize civilian harm.
In conflict-ridden locations, CISLAC is deeply engaged with communities in several LGAs to help civilians develop self-protection strategies. This is one of many collaborations with the Nigerian government to develop a national civilian protection legislation that put civilians at the heart of counterinsurgency operations in the country.
In light of this, the team from CISLAC also paid a visit to the House Committee Chair on Army, Hon. Adulrazak Sa’ad Namdas.
CISLAC’s visit to Hon. Namdad was under the auspices of the project “Strengthening Capacity, Advocacy and Local Engagement on Protection of Civilian and Civilian Harm Mitigation Legislation in Nigeria”, supported by OSIWA.
CISLAC believes that parties to armed conflict have a responsibility to prevent civilian harm. CISLAC does this by assessing the causes of civilian harm in conflicts, craft practical solutions to address that harm and advocate for the adoption of practices that can improve the well-being of civilians caught in conflict.
Recognizing the power of collaboration, CISLAC with support from OSIWA engage with civilians, governments, militaries, and international and regional institutions to identify and institutionalize strengthened protections for civilians in conflict.
“There is often a lack of clarity and common understanding about PoC [Protection of Civilians] and how to achieve it. Civilians are the people most at risk during armed conflict, and military operations have faced significant challenges in protecting civilian populations effectively,” Mr Rafsanjani added.

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