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EU To Provide N203m For Enugu Water Projects
The European Commission is to provide more than N203 million to the Enugu State Government for the execution of rural water projects in the state.
The state commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Chuks Ugwoke, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the end of the state executive council meeting said that the commission would provide the funds under its water aid facility programme.
Mr. Ugwoke stated that already the state executive council has approved the payment of the sum of N25 million as its counterpart contribution for the execution of the project in three local government areas in the state.
According to him, the benefiting council areas and communities are Idoha and Uwelu in Igbo Etiti, Nomeh and Okeani/Aniyi in Nkanu East, Imilike Enu and Iheakpu Obollo Afor in Udenu local government areas.
He also told journalists that the three council areas would contribute a total of N50 million for the execution of programme in their respective areas.
The commissioner further disclosed that the Executive Council also constituted a nine-member executive council committee for the effective implementation of the urban water sector reform programme in the state.
Mr. Ugwoke explained that the committee headed by the secretary to the state government, Mr. Martin Ilo, would ensure that the World Bank sponsored water project was executed to improve urban water service delivery in Enugu and Nsukka urban areas of the state.
The executive council meeting chaired by the state governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, he said, also announced some of the programmes lined up for the celebration of the centenary anniversary of Enugu , the Coal City .
The programme as approved by the council will on the 12th of December 2009 feature Mmawu Festival, while on the 17th of December 2009 there will be the launching of the centenary commemorative stamps.
An inter-denominational church service will be held on the 18th of December followed on the 19th by Christmas Carol, soap opera concert and drama on the 1949 coal miners massacre, among other events.
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Alliance Française PH, FIGN, Nexal Move To Eradicate GBV
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.
