Nation
APC Free Not To Attend Benue Stakeholders’ Meetings – Ortom
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has reacted to reports by the state chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, that it will no longer take part in stakeholders meetings organised by the state government.
A statement by Ortom’s, Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, yesterday, said the Governor has no problems with the decision of the party to stay away from government events.
Akase said, when Ortom took the mantle of leadership, he promised to be the Governor of every Benue person and he has kept the promise in the last six years.
He stressed that the sentiment APC raised on the proposed privatization of government-owned enterprises is a ‘jaundiced argument.
“Whenever the Governor is to meet with stakeholders to deliberate on critical issues of governance, all segments of the state including political parties are invited.
“If APC in Benue State has great ideas to help the state to grow, as it claims, the stakeholders meeting offers the party ample opportunity to present its “good ideas” for the benefit of the state.
“Benue is one of the very few states still keeping moribund companies in an era when the private sector is driving industrialization across the country and the rest of the world. Only recently, Cross River State put up over 40 state-owned industries for privatisation. That’s an APC controlled state.
“The absence of the party from the Benue stakeholders meeting will neither affect the meeting nor stop the deliberations and implementation of resolutions that will be made at the forum.
“Extending invitations to APC to be part of government activities does no favour to the Ortom administration. The opposition party should rather commend the Governor’s magnanimous disposition to involve it in government functions despite the daily insults they hurl at his person and office.
“If APC cares so much about Benue people that it now grandstands over an invitation to a meeting meant for the development of the state, what has the party done to alleviate the suffering of over one million people displaced in the state as a result of herdsmen attacks? The same people who brought the party to power in 2015 have been abandoned by its members in the state.
“We just hope that APC’s emotion-laden statement to boycott the stakeholders meeting is not borne out of the recent defection of thousands of its members into Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Benue State,” he added.
mass decampings, it is unfortunate but understandable.
“Governor Ortom gives assurance that his administration will continue to address challenges confronting the people and involve them in all government decisions.”
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.
