Nation
Kaduna To Spend N1bn On Digitisation Of Media Corporation
The Kaduna State government has earmarked one billion naira for the digitisation of the Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC) in 2021.
This is contained in the breakdown of the N1.4 billion allocated to KSMC for capital projects in the approved 2021 budget document obtained by The Tide source in Kaduna.
The document showed that N45.2 million was allocated for the supply and installation of equipment for digitisation of KSMC’s music library, and N113.2 million for the overhaul of transmitters.
It also showed that N30 million was allocated for the upgrade of Katabu and Headquarters’ power transmission lines from 11KVA to 33KVA.
Also, N66.2 million was allocated for the furnishing of KSMC’s new building and N26.3 million for the engagement of content providers.
The budget document further indicated that N104 million was allocated to the supply of Outside Broadcast Van and studio equipment at Government House.
The state also plans to spend N7.3bn billion to reduce poverty and vulnerability under the World Bank-supported Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Programme for Result (Nigeria CARES) in 2021.
The programme is designed to help increase access to social transfers and basic services, as well as to provide grants to poor and vulnerable households.
It will also strengthen food supply chains for poor households while facilitating recovery and enhancing capabilities of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
The document also showed that N300 million would be spent on Sustainable Development Goals, while N243.2 million was allocated to the Kashim Ibrahim Fellowship, a leadership programme.
It equally showed that N244.4 million was allocated as counterpart funding for UNICEF, UNFPA and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office supported progr-ammes in the state.
Also, the Kaduna State Women Empowerment Funds got N200 million, while N32.9 million was allocated for nutrition coordination; N150 million for History and Heritage projects and N10.3 million for establishment of an e-library.
Open Government Partnership activities got N18.8 million; establishment of e-registry got N36.9 million; strengthening of Information and Communication Technology Unit got N25.8 million, while printing of policy documents got N75.2 million.
The budget further indicated that N18.8 million would be spent on coordination meetings with development partners and State Operations Coordination Unit, and N29.1 million on strengthening the Economic Intelligence Unit.
Kaduna State Programme for Result and State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability programme got N573 million, while the local government component of the programme got N150 million.
Also, N56.4 million was allocated to the development and review of policy documents.
The Alliance Française Port Harcourt in conjunction with the Embassy of France Nigeria over the weekend joined the globe to campaign against the 2025 gender- based violence (GBV) with the theme: “16 Days of Activism Against Gender- Based Voice”
The event which took place at the event Hall of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt was in collaboration with the Female in Gaming Network, ( FIGN) and partnership with Nexal a body that seeks to promote online safety and responsible digital behaviour.
The Tide reports that the project which was aimed at promoting digital safety and girls inclusion in Gaming, with the initiative tagged ‘Gameover Gender- Base Violence’was part of the global campaign against gender- based Violence.
The activity which experienced a flavour of festivity was full of fun and excitements as participants took part in tournaments on popular digital games such as Mario kart and EAFC 25, with an intent to creating safer and more inclusive digital spaces.
The Director of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal said that these activities were designed to encourage inclusion of girls, team work and fair play on online gaming spaces, saying that the gaming world reflects these inequalities, where female players are often under represented.
According to her the main objectives of the initiative was to provide a supportive environment for girls and female in gaming network.
“GameOverGBV” is a project created to reshape this landscape by offering an innovative inclusiveness of girls on online digital Gaming community and digital environments that provide opportunities for creativity, learning and connection, but also fight against Gender-Based Violence Digital Gaming,”she said
She however, explained that the Digital Game, sport competitions, was launched to strengthen social and digital skills through games, workshops, and raise awareness among all young participants about respect, equality and digital citizenship.
The Tide News reports that in Port Harcourt, the competition brought together 100 young participants from three major universities: University of Port Harcourt, ( UNIPORT),Ignatius Ajuru University of Education(IAUE) and Rivers State University (RSU)as well as students from four selected secondary schools, Oginigba comprehensive Secondary.School, Vine lnternational, Virgo predicanda lnternational, and Excellent Montessori Secondary school.
“This is an approach where girls and boys can learn, play and collaborate in a more respectful and safe space for young women, while ensuring a safe, enjoyable and respectful digital environment. It also expose young women to cyberbullying, exclusion, sexist comments and online hate,” Mrs. Lacal said.
Earlier, a game developer Sophia Nei and her. team had engaged participants in an interactive session with the theme: “Can Video Games Be Safe Spaces For Girls?”
However, Mrs Nei and her team educated the girls on the benefits and violence on online digital gaming and urged them ( participants)to learn to say ‘No’ to Online hate, sexist and cyber bullying, while encouraging them(students) to stand up for themselves by reporting such issues to the appropriate authority.
Highlight of the competition was the awarding of prizes to winners by the Director of Alliance Française, Mrs Marina Lacal.
