An IT expert, Mr. Ridwan Agboluaje has advised people to avoid making themselves easy targets for online fraud during the period of the lockdown of states across Nigeria. He made this advice while interacting with Tekedia. Here are the excerpt of the interview    

Tell us about yourself.

I am Ridwan Agboluaje. I am an IT Expert and Education Advocate who promotes quality education at the grassroot level. I use IT tools to educate and empower youths in my community. I am also a Cyber security expert and I educate people too.  I have over 6 years of experience in Information Technology and 3 years in Education Advocacy, Youth Activism, Community Development and Human Rights especially teenagers’ right to education. I seek to make a tangible, notable and enduring impact in Africa, or die trying. I am the Team Lead at Leadon Empowerment Initiative, a social impact not-for-profit organization that provides economically disadvantaged youths with skills and career development opportunities.

Why do you think cyber crimes are becoming common in this period?

In my own perspective, cyber crimes are very common before and during this period because  of the trend of this era. We have moved almost everything we used to do physically online. Registration for whatever purposes, transactions and even purchase have all become internet driven. However, the danger becomes heightened at this period of the rave of the moment- COVID 19. Since national and sub national governments of the country are declaring lock downs whether partially or totally and organisations too are demanding their employees to work remotely, internet crimes have also been on the increase. Cyber criminals  are looking for ways to steal vital information of people. People become vulnerable when they operate online without paying much attention to cyber security. People who also look for cheap and unbelievable opportunities have the tendency to click on links advertising such and which could lead them into their online security being compromised.

 What kinds of cyber threats are people exposed to before now and during this period?  

During this period, people are open to all sorts of cyber crimes ranging from identity theft and financial scams. Many people are looking for cheap opportunities to make money for self sustenance during this period. So, online fraudsters steal people’s identity to either source for money from the contacts of the compromised  persons or to even withdraw money from their bank accounts. People have reported receiving strange calls asking them for their BVN or other security information about their accounts. The callers usually disguise themselves as bankers. Also, a lot of people have reported their WhatsApp or Facebook accounts being hacked. All these are finance related. Generally, cybercrimes pose a huge threat to private data of individuals, international companies, banks, governments etc. and therefore security breach must be prevented.

Is it possible that people make themselves vulnerable to cyber threats?

Yes, most cyber attacks are caused by human errors, carelessness and ignorance. This is because most internet users have a carefree attitude to the use of the internet. Consequently, they run around trying to resolve their issues after being hacked. Simple personal decisions that people make can put them into trouble online. When users come up with simple and short passwords because they are afraid of forgetting their passwords, they could easily be compromised. Also, when users make use of a single password for all their accounts, they make themselves an easy target for hackers and cyber criminals. People often have the same password for their ATM cards, emails and other platforms where any leak in their information could subject them to distress. Doing that is like a person using a single key to enter a building of eight rooms. The consequences are usually unimaginable because that means the entire house is at risk.

What are your tips for people to be cyber secured at this period and beyond?

Well, my simple advice for people who frequent the internet for all kinds of transactions is that they should develop a cyber security mindset. They should make efforts to ensure that they are protected while online. Such a mindset would save them from being compromised. With the mindset, they are sure to play safe online. They should as well be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links especially from strange sources. Apart from this, there are six tips that I would also share with people.

One, they should make an attempt to use strong passwords and maintain different password and username combinations for their different accounts. Weak passwords could easily be cracked using certain attacking methods. Two, people should keep their social networking profiles on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube private. They should check security settings every now and then. Most importantly, people are advised to be careful of the kind of information they put online. The Internet of Things keeps records of whatever information is put on social media.

Three, many people are not aware that their mobile devices are vulnerable. They could be targeted for malicious software such as computer viruses and hackers. To prevent this, people are advised to install anti-virus software and use a secured lock screen. They should avoid mobile applications from unknown sources and check how applications on their phones use their personal data such as pictures or contacts.

Four, it is advisable for people to protect their personal data by encrypting their sensitive files such as financial records and tax returns  Passwords to their ATMs should not be released to people who they do not trust. Added to this is the fact that people must learn to protect their identity online. In fact, it is better to be too cautious than not being cautious enough. Personal IDs such as name, address, phone number and financial information should not be given indiscriminately online. People are to ensure that they make online purchases using secure platforms.

Lastly, personal computers should be updated regularly with latest patches and updates. This blocks attackers from taking undue advantage of software vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit. Devices should not be programmed to automatically connect to Wi-Fi. People must verify important details of any public Wi-Fi hotspot to ensure it is not set up to steal information. Above all, developing a cyber security mindset will guard a person’s online footprints against theft and financial scams during this period or beyond.

Thank you for your time

It is my pleasure.

Members of Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) converged on Thursday to put an end to the oil production cut that has stalled for some months now due to the disagreement between de-facto leader Saudi Arabia and Russia.

The agreement was to temporarily cut oil production to 10 million barrels per a day, cutting about 23 percent of their production levels in May and June. The statement issued by the organization after the meeting said that the agreement will be reviewed and adjusted periodically.

“Adjust downwards their overall crude oil production by 10.0 mb/d, starting in May 2020, for an initial period of two months that concludes on 30 June 2020. For the subsequent period of 6 months, from 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2020, the total adjustment agreed will be 8.0 mb/d. It will be followed by a 6.0 mb/d adjustment for a period of 16 months, from 1 January 2021 to 30 April 2022. The baseline for the calculation of the adjustments is the oil production of October 2018, except for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Russian Federation, both with the same baseline level of 11.0mb/d. The agreement will be valid until 30 April 2022, however, the extension of this agreement will be reviewed during December 2021,” part of the communiqué said.

Earlier in March, attempts by OPEC members to agree on production cut failed as Russia and Saudi Arabia disagreed on output quota. The disagreement sent oil prices spiraled downward to less than $20 per barrel.

The world economy appears to be hanging partly on the decision of the Alliance as U.S. stocks keep plunging partly due to the low prices of oil following the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic.

The need to stabilize the oil price became urgent as the pandemic continues to wreak havoc around the world, plummeting economies and calling for strong sustainability measures to save jobs and businesses.

For this need, the U.S. President Donald Trump stepped in. Trump said he spoke to Saudi king Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin and urged them to go back to the negotiation table. He said on Thursday that the oil production cut deal is in the interest of oil producing countries including the U.S. and he believes the cartel would reach a deal soon to curtail the looming crisis of layoffs all over the world.

“The numbers are so low that there will be layoffs all over the world. There will be certainly layoffs in this country, and we don’t want that to happen,” Trump said in a press briefing on Thursday, in reference to oil prices.

Russia and Saudi Arabia had to put their differences apart to reach a deal in one of the most challenging times in the history of the oil market. OPEC Secretary General Mohammed Barkindo described the current situation of the oil industry as “hemorrhaging” and called for urgent action to stem it.

“Our industry is hemorrhaging; no one has been able to stem the bleeding.

“Every producer, many of whom are developing nations, have been impacted and no one is immune. It is forcing us to access and reassess what the consequences are on an almost daily basis,” Barkindo said.

OPEC members are desperately trying to salvage a seemingly hopeless situation slipping away from their grip. The deal is to cut production by 10 million barrels per day in May and June, which is the deepest cut ever agreed on by the cartel.

But not all members agreed, Mexico refused to support the agreement to cut its share of 400,000 barrels per day, leaving the deal in limbo. The Alliance’s statement said the deal needs Mexico’s consent to take effect and her refusal to accept the cut opened the way for another round of talk.

But on Friday, Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez said he spoke to Trump on the issue and agreed to cut 100,000 barrels per day which left 300,000 more barrels to make the consensus a reality. But Trump said the U.S will cut its production by further 250,000 barrels to compensate for Mexico.

However, the deal appears unlikely to stabilize price as demand is down as much as 20 million barrels per day. Even if producers cut output by 10 million barrels per day it is unlikely to stem the massive fall in the oil market in recent time as a result of coronavirus.

Barkinda acknowledged the odds, he told attendees of the meeting held on Thursday that more cuts are needed to meet the shortfall in demand.

“Given the current unprecedented supply and demand imbalance, there could be a colossal excess volume of 14.7 million barrels a day in the second quarter of 2020,” he said.

The Thursday agreement means that output would be reduced to 8 million barrels per day from July to December and subsequently, 6 million barrels per day reduction from January 2021 to April 2022.

Iran, Libya and Venezuela would be exempted from the output cuts due to lost production or sanctions.

The challenge however lies on the possibility of OPEC accepting Trump’s compensation for Mexico, as the heavyweights in the OPEC+ group, especially Russia, have signaled that they would only accept the deal if members voluntarily make the production cuts.

For some of you who have read some of my articles, you might have noticed that I always share the experiences of my National Youth Service. This is because it was robust. I maximized the opportunity. From being elected the leader of my platoon to being made the NCCF Coordinator of my zone and later the CLO (Corps Liaison Officer) of the local government where I served, I learned important leadership lessons. In this piece, I will also draw from this source the importance of being disciplined as a leader. 

The leadership of my platoon was not accidentally bestowed on me, I prepared before I was deployed, and when the opportunity presented itself I contested with three others and won with a landslide. It is in my nature to be outstanding in everything I do, thus, I worked for my platoon to be the best of all the ten platoons in the orientation camp.  I had two hundred and thirty-four members (234) with a three-week of competitive activities. 

You will concur that power is sweet if you have held it before, but on the flip side is the burden of responsibility and this calls for self denial if the leader must achieve his goal. He must be able to choose between immediate and postponed gratification in the presence of lots of temptations and distractions. 

To fully appreciate this topic, I think it would be helpful for you to know the pleasures I forsook to achieve my goal. First the NYSC Orientation Camp is a place where many corps members have a common goal: to have the fun of a life time. Some of you know what I am talking about. Platoon leaders were like presidents with three weeks tenure. I had free publicity from a devoted member who served in the OBS unit. She occasionally sends me shutouts over the airwaves letting everyone know how wonderful I am. 

There were beautiful ladies asking me to take them out. The guys want to identify with me. Different interest groups came to ask for favors. I had the powers to create committees and appoint whoever I wanted to be in charge. I had unhindered access to the Camp Commandant and other important officers. In a nutshell, I was the custodian of the cookie jar. 

With these privileges, it is easy for a young leader to lose focus except with a steel resolution like that of the Hebrew Boys in Babylonian captivity during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar. There were three platoon leaders who betrayed the trust of their members by exhibiting gross indiscipline in the steering of the affairs of their respective platoons. They had the fun of their lives. What I saw them do myself and the things I heard about them cannot be written. Mind you, I am not a saint either. 

So it happened on the bonfire day that their recklessness became obvious to everyone. The bonfire was the peak of all activities on camp with the platoons competing for the best native delicacy, best decorated platoon shed, best dance group, etc. It was a night of feasting and socializing around the fire. And so it was that platoons x, y, and z failed to make arrangements for this event. They could not even provide canopies and chairs, let alone fulfill other expectations. The population of my platoon swelled with many of their members coming under my shed. And for the fear of their platoon members whom they collected money from but could not deliver, they were no where to be found the entire night. 

Every opportunity to lead is a burden and for a leader to accept to serve he must sacrifice personal interest for collective interest, even if he is pursuing a personal vision, the expectation of the team members must be integrated. These three platoon leaders that failed on their mandates are some of the youths of Nigeria who are asking for the opportunity to lead the country. They were given a three week opportunity and they messed up. 

Leadership is not pleasure but pain; not gratification but sacrifice; not sleep but vigil; not pride but humility; not a feast but a fast; not stationary but motion; not debauchery but virtuous; not wishes but strive; not fear but courage; and leadership is not given but taken. Therefore if everyone can afford to be undisciplined, leaders cannot because the stakes are high. 

To lead, choose pain. Let’s make Nigeria great!