Nation
Minister Tasks Youths On Technolgical Dev
The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has tasked youths to embrace technolo-gical innovations to build sustainable socioeconomic progress and development.
Onu gave the charge on Friday in Enugu during the “Nzuko Oha Ndi Ntorobia Igbo 2020’’, organised by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Worldwide.
The minister reasoned that Nigerian youths must embrace science, technology and innovation since the richest people in the world, as of now, made their money through technological innovations and programmes.
According to him, “I want you (youths) to be like them. There should be no doubt in your mind, that you can do this. You can do it, because those who have succeeded are human beings like you”.
His words, “This can only be achieved through the effective deployment of science, technology and innovation and I encourage all our youths to embrace Science, Technology and Innovation.
“Our desire as a nation to diversify our economy, build our infrastructure, improve our schools and hospitals, strengthen our currency, feed our people, generate enough jobs, defeat poverty and secure our nation, can only be achieved through effective utilization of science and technology’’.
While further urging the youths to help the nation in the war to gain true economic independence, Onu insisted that the mistakes of the past of having low productivity and innovative stance must be corrected.
Said Onu: “The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is determined to ensure that many of the things imported into the country are produced locally. Nigeria is blessed with an abundance of natural resources.
“We need to ensure that we can convert these enormous natural resources, that are found in all parts of the country, into products and services that we need at home.‘
“When we are able to produce most of our needs at home and export the surplus to other nations, we will win the war for economic independence.
“This will help us create enough jobs for our people as well as create wealth for both our citizens and the nation’’.
On the “Heroes Award 2020” given to him on occasion, Onu thanked Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Worldwide for considering him as “The Foremost Igbo Political Leader in Contemporary Nigeria’’.
This, he said, ‘‘It means a lot to me coming from our youths as future leaders’’.
“I am happy that you will continue to deploy your energy, intelligence, drive, resourcefulness, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit in the development of both our communities and the nation.
“Your service to the community is captured in the age-grade system in our various communities’’.
Earlier, President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Worldwide, Chief Arthur Obiora, said that “Onu is a role model to Igbo youths’’; adding that he remained a politician with integrity and humility.
“Onu has remained a role model to many Nigerians. A personality that the Igbo nation and Nigeria have continued to be proud of and all along
these years exhibited exemplary conduct and dignity in his political and public life.
“Onu, as a true Igbo son, has continued to build bridges of understanding and oneness among other tribes and nations within the country,’’ he added. Ends
The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Ahmad Abdurrahman, has bagged a fellowship award of the Institute of Peace, Conflict and Development Studies of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).
Conferring the award on the commissioner on Thursday at ESUT Main Campus, Agbani near Enugu, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Charles Eze, said that Abdurrahman merited the award for his exemplary qualities as a peace-lover.
According to Eze, Abdurrahman sterling qualities of being an incorruptible officer, a peace maker and resolving issues through alternative dispute resolution methods stands him out.
The acting chancellor said: “In our present day, it is difficult to find a police officer very passionate with his job and highly forthright and would not collect ‘a thank you gift’ from those he served.
“He is humble and contributed a lot through his sacrifice to bring the security we have come to continue to enjoy after some men of the underworld decided to toy with the peace in the state.
“But now, we have peace and security and we can sleep with our two eyes closed.
“So, ESUT through the institute today decided to honour whom honour is due and the whole council of the university through the institute is delighted to confer on you this award,’’ he said.
Earlier, Prof. Felix Asogwa, the Director of Institute of Peace, Conflict and Development Studies of ESUT, said that the award was meant to celebrate a man with symbolic humility and service to humanity.
Asogwa noted that since Abdurrahman took over as the commissioner of police in the state, he had left no one in doubt of his resolve to marshal out his duty with a sense of duty, dedication and integrity.
He had handled COVID-19 and EndSARS challenges with professionalism and intellectual perfection; adding that he was the first commissioner to organise a seminar for his officers and men to boost their morale to resume duty in earnest after EndSARS turned violent.
“Enugu State is today adjudged as the safest state in the country due to the sacrifice and contribution as well as exemplary leadership style of Abdurrahman’’.
Responding, the Commissioner said that he feels very elated for the award conferred on him, adding; “I do not have the capacity or words in thanking ESUT for their great decision to honour me today’’.
Abdurrahman, however, called on the university and its array of academia to continue to groom and mentor the youths, adding; “Nigeria youths are not lazy but needed mentorship and proper guidance to excel’’.
“I appeal to the university to continue to groom and search for youthful talents that will be guided to take over leadership and bring lasting peace, progress and oneness in the country.
“Nigeria must remain indivisible and we all must contribute our little quota to ensure that our father land succeeded’’.
The fellowship conferment was witnessed by top academia in ESUT, top police officers in Enugu State as well as friends, well-wishers and family members of the commissioner.
By: CANICE AMADI ENUGU
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.
