The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Wole Olanipekun, has urged the Federal Government to enforce the provisions of the 2024 Cybercrime Act to protect citizens and society from the dangers of an unregulated social media space.
 
Speaking at the 56th convocation ceremonies of UNILAG, the legal giant stressed the imperative of regulation and the need to protect citizens from constant harassment and cyber-bullying. He cited the recent fine against a blogger to the tune of £100,000 by a court in the United Kingdom as a measure to regulate the social media space.
 
“Citizens are not protected from harassment, banditry, and assassinations on social media. We are not aware; we are not learning. We don’t know what the law is. And those of us who have a master’s degree in cybercrime, or in cyber-protection, please let us look at the law.
 
“An occasion like this provides an opportunity for Nigerians to have an idea of the type of protection they have under the law,” he said. He berated the desire to denigrate people and spoil their reputation through the internet, especially bloggers.
 
“We must not put this country down. It will be a shame. Who will succeed us? Do you have a disagreement with any person? The next thing you do is to sponsor bloggers to accuse the fellow. Reputation is so sacrosanct.
 
“It’s the duty of the police, and the duty of the government, to protect us from bullying.” He advised the graduates not to join those who misuse social media for blackmail and reputation-soiling.
 
“And thank you, my daughters, my sons. Please don’t be bullied.  Don’t join them. Make a positive impact on society. You are going to shine. You are going to the tower. You are going to soar. And when others fail, you will succeed. Don’t be part of the negative people,” the lawyer added.
 
On the recent settlement of the 2009 Agreement between the Academic Staff Union of the Universities (ASUU), he lauded President Bola Tinubu and Education Minister Dr Tunji Alausa, stressing that the agreement should not be breached.
 
The Pro-Chancellor disclosed that as from next year, he will gift any male student who comes out tops in any faculty a cash prize of N500,000.