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‘Research, Technology, Solution To SDGs Achievement In Africa’
The African Union Development Agency -New Partnership For Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) has harped on the need to invest in science and technology for the development of Africa.
It said there is need to increase focus on research that can contribute to economic growth in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 and Agenda 2063 in Africa.
The National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer, AUDA-NEPAD, Princess Gloria Akobundu, stated this at the Opening Ceremony of the 1st Annual Pan-African Scientific Research Council (PASRC) Conference in Abuja, Sunday.
Akobundu said the 1st PASRC which is in collaboration with Africa School of Economics (ASE), was being facilitated to help young people go into technology and innovation to be able to actualise the growth and development needed in Africa.
She said PASRC was established in 2020, with the aim of bringing together African focused researchers and professionals to enable cross-disciplinary, generational, and geographical collaboration and peer learning.
“The goal of the council is to promote research, career development, policy and public engagement among African -focused researchers and professionals in the thematic areas of social sciences; biomedical sciences; agricultural, energy, and environmental sciences; and applied mathematics, computer science, and statistics.
“As at February, 2021, PASRC has inaugurated 521 members from 55 Countries”, she said.
According to her, there is a growing recognition that achieving the SDGs and Africa’s Agenda 2063 would necessitate extensive technical expertise and deep research capacities.
“The African Union (AU) Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) places science, technology, and innovation at the epicenter of Africa’s socio-economic development and growth which places emphasis on the impact sciences across critical sectors such as agriculture, energy, environment, health, infrastructure development, mining, security and water among others.
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Alliance Française PH, FIGN, Nexal Move To Eradicate GBV
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.
