Nation
CAN Petitions Buhari, IGP Over Attacks On Christians In Kwara
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar Adamu to intervene in the ongoing violence over Hijab policy in Kwara.
In a statement signed by its General Secretary Mr. Joseph Daramola, yesterday, CAN noted that innocent Christians are being attacked by hoodlums banking on the Kwara government’s support.
”We learned that the state government has ordered the reopening of the closed schools without resolving the crisis.
”Consequently, churches and mission schools are being vandalised with impunity by the hoodlums banking on the state government’s support in the pretext of enforcing the policy.
”Some innocent Christians are being violently abused and attacked under the watch of the governor who is playing ostrich,” he said.
”Because it was his pronouncement on the issue of hijab-wearing in violation of the court directive on the matter to maintain status quo until the matter is finally resolved by the court that led to this trouble,” it said.
CAN noted that wisdom was required by those in leadership to handle sensitive issues such as that of religion so as not to precipitate war.
”If any damage is done to any church or anyone is injured on this matter, the governor of Kwara State will be held responsible.
“It is disheartening and unfortunate that a government that was installed democratically will become insensitive to the plight and the yearning of the people.
”As if the governor was voted into the office primarily to protect his own religion. This is unfair, ungodly and reprehensible.
”There are public schools and schools that belong to some Islamic organizations where those who wanted to be wearing hijab can be attending without causing the ongoing needless crisis rocking the state,” the statement read in part.
CAN, however, advised Governor AbdulRazaq to give peace a chance in the state by ordering his hoodlums to stop attacking mission schools and churches before the situation degenerated into an unprecedented religious crisis.
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.
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