Nation
Insecurity in South-East Not Targeted At Herders-Miyetti Allah
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) says the spate of insecurity in the South-East is not targeted at herders.
The South-East Zonal Chairman of MACBAN, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki disclosed this yesterday in an interview with newsmen in Enugu.
Siddiki spoke on the sideline of the burning of a truck-load of cattle along Uga-Ezinifite-Igboukwu Road in Anambra on May 8, 2022.
Recall that since the incident, there has been hostile exchange of words between another herders’ association called Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).
However, the MACBAN zonal chairman said that though the incident was reprehensible and the perpetrators brought to book but the situation needed not be allowed to degenerate.
He said that the security challenge in the South-East was not an isolated one from the totality of the situation in the country.
“It is evident that while our herders have suffered victims of the dastardly operations by the hoodlums, other Nigerians, including indigenes have also fallen victims.
“Government and private valuables have been lost to these gangs.
“It is, therefore, a burden on society which everyone and the government are called upon to contribute to its reduction and eventual eradication,” he said.
Siddiki said that MACBAN would not subscribe to the mode of altercation between the two aforementioned interest organisations.
“While MACBAN continues to sue for peace amongst aggrieved Nigerians across ethnic divides, we advise the relevant organs of government to fish out the lawless elements causing harm across the country,” he said.
He attributed the surge in criminal activities to injustice, inequity and unemployment, adding that the various levels of government had a role to play at addressing the challenge.
“We call on the various levels of government to galvanise efforts toward improving the lives of Nigerians by issuing policies that will drastically reduce the huge population of Nigerians in abject poverty.
“It is beyond contestation that hunger, deprivation and extreme poverty breed unruly acts that include criminality and other anti-social indulgences,” he said.
Siddiki expressed optimism that the daunting security challenges in the country will soon be over.
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.
