Social media influencer, Adedamola Adewale, popularly known as Ade Herself, issued a call to action to the members of the National Youths Service Corps, and other young people in Nigeria to avoid engaging in computer-related fraud.
Adewale, who is currently a key player in the fight against corruption, made the proclamation on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at the NYSC, orientation camp in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, during a sensitization workshop sponsored by the EFCC.
Adedamola, also advised the corps members to stay away from crime during the interactive session while educating them on how to use the internet to succeed as young adults.
According to her, “There are boundless opportunities on the internet, which you can put to good use and harness for financial upgrades, rather than fraudulent activities and commission of crimes.
“As young adults, we sometimes overlook our wrongs and disregard the fact that the law of Karma will always prevail.”
Adedamola also decried the increasing rate of criminality among the youth, saying that the development had given the generality of Nigerians a bad reputation.
She said: “Everywhere you go to as a Nigerian youth, you are stigmatized as a scammer or a criminal. Isn’t this a matter of grave concern? I believe you feel the same way as I feel right now.
“Nobody is saying that making money and having a financial upgrade through the internet is wrong, but when it is fraudulent and illegal, it could cost the victim pain, despair, and even death. Have you imagined yourself being a victim? Have you imagined your parents being the victims? Have you also imagined being swindled of your life savings by a total stranger? That must be unimaginable!”
She, therefore, enjoined the youth to deploy their talents to worthy activities, saying that “The same energy and smartness you put together to scam innocent organizations and persons can be put together to explore money-making opportunities online, such as partnering with companies, involving yourselves in entrepreneurship activities, learning internet trade, making YouTube videos and earning the same Dollars you struggle to scam people of.
“Technology has given us so many opportunities to achieve our goals without denying others their life-time happiness.
You can be an online writer for producers, home and abroad; you can venture into YouTube contents and get paid directly; you can use your tech skills better by getting involved in cybersecurity; you can buy and sell through the internet and many more.
“I am able to achieve my acting goals and dreams as a comedian, thanks to the same internet. So, if I can, why can’t you?”
Recall that the EFCC in 2020 charged Ade Herself alongside two others at large, on a three-count charge of conspiracy to obtain money by false pretences, attempt to obtain money by false pretences and retention of proceeds of criminal conduct..
