President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Bola Tinubu, for being declared the winner of Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday.

Buhari, who shared his congratulatory message via social media, described Tinubu as “the best person for the job”, promising to “work with him and his team to ensure an orderly handover of power.”

The president spoke amid public outcry and reports by both local and international election observers that the presidential election lacks credibility. Though Buhari acknowledged that there have been irregularities, including the failure of INEC to transmit results electronically, he said the outcome of the election reveal that democracy is ripening in our country.

He added that none of the issues registered represent a challenge to the freeness and fairness of the elections.

The president, who had in the buildup of the election, vowed to ensure that Nigeria has free and fair election, urged the public not protest the result.

The trio of Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) have rejected the outcome of the election, calling for cancellation of the presidential polls and the resignation of INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu.

Buhari said “if any candidate believes they can prove the fraud they claim is committed against them, then bring forward the evidence.” Failure to do so he said, “then we must conclude that the election was indeed the people’s will.”

Read the full statement below:

I congratulate His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory. Elected by the people, he is the best person for the job. I shall now work with him and his team to ensure an orderly handover of power.

The election was Africa’s largest democratic exercise. In a region that has undergone backsliding and military coups in recent years, this election demonstrates democracy’s continued relevance and capability to deliver for the people it serves.

Within Nigeria, the results reveal democracy’s ripening in our country. Never has the electoral map shifted so drastically in one cycle.

In the presidential elections, States in all regions across Nigeria changed colour. Some amongst you may have noticed my home State among them. The winning candidate did not carry his own home State either. That happens during a competitive election.

Votes and those that cast them cannot be taken for granted. Each must be earned. Competition is good for our democracy. There is no doubt the people’s decision has been rendered in the results we look at today.

That is not to say the exercise was without fault. For instance, there were technical problems with electronic transmission of the results. Of course, there will be areas that need work to bring further transparency and credibility to the voting procedure.

However, none of the issues registered represent a challenge to the freeness and fairness of the elections.

I know some politicians and candidates may not agree with this view. That too is fine. If any candidate believes they can prove the fraud they claim is committed against them, then bring forward the evidence.

If they cannot, then we must conclude that the election was indeed the people’s will – no matter how hard that may be for the losers to accept. If they feel the need to challenge, please take it to the courts, not to the streets.

To take to the streets means they are not doing it in the interest of the people, but rather to inflame, to put people in harm’s way and all for personal, selfish gains.

After a degree of polarization that necessarily accompanies any election, it is now time to come together and act responsibly. I call on all candidates to remember the peace pledge they signed just days before the election.

Do not undermine the credibility of INEC. Let us now move forward as one.

The people have spoken.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Parenting has always been challenging, especially in the digital age. The advent of social media has equally fraught it with even more challenges. Children now have more access to technology and the internet, which seeps into everything they do, from learning to playing. The internet is a world on its own, with its challenges, and continuous usage has created concern for mindful parents.

When a child is not duly protected against it, they risk being bullied, one of the many dangers that can come upon an unsuspecting child. Parents want their kids to be safe and will do their best to protect them.

How Cybersecurity Affects Your Children

Children are spending much of their time online now more than ever. Most kids aren’t aware of the dangers they are up against. Cyberbullying is a form of bullying using online means and is increasingly common as the digital space has expanded and technology has advanced.

Many parents would like to believe they have the lid regarding their children’s online activities, as explained in this ExpressVPN article, parents aren’t as aware of social media issues. Kids who frequent social media are often oblivious to the harm it can cause and are, thus, at the mercy of online predators. Parents should get involved and adopt better ways to navigate online challenges and keep their children safe.

Besides cyberbullying, UNICEF states Cyberconflict as another online threat to children, directly or indirectly. Some other online risks children are exposed to include exploitation, abuse, exposure to inappropriate content, privacy and data breaches, trafficking, and other subtle threats to their well-being.

Most parents assume that their kids are savvier than them and should know their way around the internet. This could be true, but children can’t fully protect themselves from online risks. Ensuring safety for your kids online is not rocket science and does not necessarily require extensive technical knowledge. There are simple steps parents can undertake to provide security and protection for their kids.

Online Safety Tips That Can Help You Keep Your Kids Safe

Educate Them

Don’t ever think that your kids are too tender to understand the concept of cybersecurity. Explain to them how the internet works and teach them about cybersecurity. When they know, they can look out for themselves online.

You could add bookmarks to their browsers to direct them toward safer websites. NetSmartz offers free resources to educate children and adults on being safe online.

Update Your Software & Enable Parental Control

Make sure to update your software or hardware to the newest version but be cautious of downloading untrustworthy materials.

Most devices come with child protection controls which can be enabled under settings. To further strengthen the “control,” you can create a strong password on your home wireless network and set time limits per user for browsing.

Be Approachable

Keep lines of communication open and let your children know they can come to you with any questions, confusion, or problems they might have encountered online. Get involved in their activities and know who they are talking to.

We live in a digital world, and thus, cybersecurity is a foremost concern for everyone. Keeping your kids safe is of as much importance too. With the proper safety measures set in place, it can go a long way to keep children safe online.