Nation
‘Covid-19, Most Serious Global Challenge Since World War Two’
The Vice-Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Charles Igwe, says Covid-19 pandemic is indisputably the highest global challenge since World War 2.
Igwe spoke in Nsukka during UNN’s 1st Annual International Conference titled: “A Whole New World; Research, Development and Innovation in the Pandemic Era.”
He said that Covid-19 has killed many people, infected many others, affected economies and changed ways of life in every part of the world.
“covid-19 pandemic is the most serious global challenge the world has witnessed since the World War 2,”he said.
The VC commended Federal Government’s efforts in handling the pandemic and implementation of post Covid-19 economic sustainability plans.
“The aim of this conference is to disseminate some researches, innovations and developments taking place in UNN to national, regional and global audiences.
”The conference will be used to identify areas where there is gap in knowledge and the priorities for further research on ways and means of fighting the present and future pandemic in Nigeria.
”It will also bring together researchers, policy makers, development partners, NGOs and research funders both in Nigeria and outside,” he said.
Igwe who was represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Johnson Urama, urged participants to take advantage of the opportunity presented by the conference to advance research, development and innovations for the wellbeing of the global community.
“Is my wish that this conference will generate quantum of ideas, methodologies and actionable recommendations for policy makers in different fields of human endeavours to advance the fight against Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
In a virtual remark, Prof. Oyewale
Tomori, the Chairman of Ministerial Advisory Committee on Covid-19 (MEACOC), urged Nigerians to take the Covid-19 vaccine
Tomori who was also the keynote speaker said that the vaccine is not harmful.
”Nigerians should disregard the social media and speculations in some quarters that the vaccine is harmful or has dangerous after effect.
“The vaccine was approved after series of research and examination by world health experts as well as World Health Organisation,” he said.
Oyewale, however, said that the advent of Covid-19 in Nigeria and Africa exposed the inadequate facilities in health, education and other sectors of the economy.
“It’s unfortunate that among the countries in the world that produced Covid-19 vaccine none is from Nigeria or Africa.
“Government should pay more attention in funding and equipping universities than establishing new ones as if universities are pure water industry.
“It gives me concern that none of the universities in the country is among the best ranked universities in the world,” Oyewale said.
The Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the conference, Prof. Chidi Nzeadibe, said that Covid-19 pandemic has reset the ways of work and life across the globe.
He said that the pandemic boosted innovations in research and development around the world.
“At UNN, many researchers have leveraged on the opportunities inherent in the adversity of the pandemic to come up with research outputs with huge potential to improve lives and livelihood.
“These researches will help us to overcome or adapt to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he 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.
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