Nation
Army, NITDA Collaborate On Technology For National Security
The Nigerian Army has collaborated with the National Information and Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on utilisation of modern technology to tackle the activities of insurgents and other security challenges in the country.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of a seminar in Abuja, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya, said the nation was currently witnessing one of the most challenging times in its history.
Yahaya, who was represented by Chief of transformation and innovation, Maj. Gen. Charles Ofoche, said the seminar aimed at broadening the knowledge of participants.
This, he said, were on the roles of inter-agency collaboration and use of technology to address national security challenges.
He said the country was facing insecurity issues, considering the myriads of complex security challenges bedeviling Nigeria.
He also said the security environment was replete with acts of insurgency, terrorism, kidnapping and banditry from BHT, ISWAP, IPOB, ESN and other terrorist organisations.
He added that the acts had continually posed huge threats to the national security and cohesion as a country.
According to him, the complexities of these threats cannot also be addressed without harnessing the capacity of our security agencies.
He said, however, there had been various policy options adopted by both the Federal and some state governments to address the security challenges.
“The emphasis has been more on kinetic approach. However, there is a huge requirement for non-kinetic efforts which include use of technology and whole of government and society approaches .
“There is this a compelling requirement to explore the utilisation of modern technology and leverage more on inter-agency collaboration towards addressing these challenges, “ he said.
The Army Chief urged commanders of security at all levels to make deliberate efforts towards fostering effective cooperation and collaboration by their personnel in the course of operations.
This, he said, could not be achieved without training in inter-agency collaboration.
He reiterated the need for respect for human rights by security agencies in the conduct of operations, in accordance with human rights laws and constitutional responsibilities.
The Director General, Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab (rtd.) said that the essence of the seminar was to bring security agencies and other stakeholders to collaborate on ways to tackle insecurity.
Wahab said it was neccessary to teach on the use of technology, adding that it was not something to run away from as the Army had been using it.
“Other security agencies need to use technology in information gathering for us to have a better platform and attitude towards tackling insecurity”, he said.
The Director, Research and Development, NITDA, Dr. Collins Agwu, said the insecurity in Nigeria was a challenge for all, adding that every effort must be put in place to curb the menace.
Agwu said in spite of huge investment injected into security sector, the government had not been able to tackle the challenge that had been troubling the well being of the nation for a long time.
“The growing challenge of insecurity in Nigeria was a concern to all and every effort must be made to curb the challenge.
“Moden Technology has been introduced and we believe this will go a long way to avert this menace.
The Tide’s source reports that the seminar was organised by the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in collaboration with NITD.
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.
