Nation
OPC Fingers Dambazau, Four Others Over Boko Haram Onslaught
The O’odua Peoples Con-gress has slammed the former Chief of Army Staff, Abdurahman Dambazau (rtd) for likening them, as well as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to Boko Haram.
The former Chief of Army Staff, had last Saturday compared the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) with Boko Haram.
Speaking at the inauguration of Army War College Nigeria Course in Abuja, Dambazzau said that those groups are like Boko Haram sect who don’t believe in the oneness of Nigeria.
Reacting, OPC in a statement released by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Yinka Oguntimehin, said the former Army Chief was suffering from “acute dementia and gradually losing touch with the realities of the moment.”
According to OPC, Dambazau and four top Northern leaders in 2014 before the general election, were behind the recruitment of bandits into the country.
“Dambazau’s statement that OPC and IPOB are very much the same as the dreaded Boko Haram was made in bad faith. Such statements raise questions about his intentions, interests and morality as a former COAS that has been supporting bandits financially and technically.
“This same former chief of army staff, together with four top Northern leaders had in 2014, before the general election organised the recruitment of bandits into the country.
“Moreso, when he became the minister of Interior under President Buhari, he pleaded that the Federal Government raise over N800 billion to settle the bandits; a request that was opposed by Nigerians.
“However, for such a person to say OPC is the same as Boko Haram, is not only demeaning but also most unfortunate to say the least.
“The ex-minister is not in his right frame of mind and should have never been trusted with fight against insurgency,” the statement said.
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.
-
Politics4 days agoWhy Reno Omokri Should Be Dropped From Ambassadorial List – Arabambi
-
Politics4 days agoPDP Vows Legal Action Against Rivers Lawmakers Over Defection
-
Sports4 days agoNigeria, Egypt friendly Hold Dec 16
-
Politics4 days agoRIVERS PEOPLE REACT AS 17 PDP STATE LAWMAKERS MOVE TO APC
-
Sports4 days agoNSC hails S’Eagles Captain Troost-Ekong
-
Oil & Energy4 days agoNCDMB Unveils $100m Equity Investment Scheme, Says Nigerian Content Hits 61% In 2025 ………As Board Plans Technology Challenge, Research and Development Fair In 2026
-
Politics4 days agoWithdraw Ambassadorial List, It Lacks Federal Character, Ndume Tells Tinubu
-
Sports4 days agoFRSC Wins 2025 Ardova Handball Premier League