Nation
Enugu Launches ASPG Project On Sanitation
The Enugu State Government, Friday, launched the African Sanitation Policy Guidelines (ASPG) project aimed at providing improved access to basic sanitation facilities within the state.
Special Adviser to the Enugu State Government on Water, Mr Dubem Onyia, said the state is domesticating the ASPG project in order to develop and implement workable sanitation policies that can help improve the lives of millions of people across the state.
Onyia, who made this known in Enugu while launching the domestication, said the project was not just about providing access to clean water and sanitation, but about empowering communities to take ownership of their own sanitation needs.
According to him, the guidelines will provide governments with a roadmap on how to improve sanitation infrastructure, develop policies, and increase funding for sanitation projects.
His words: “Sanitation is a fundamental human right, yet millions of people in Africa lack access to basic sanitation facilities. This has a significant impact on their health and wellbeing, and it hinders their ability to lead productive lives”.
According to him, a recent report carried out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) shows that only a small percentage of the population in sub-Saharan Africa lacks access to basic sanitation facilities, which has led to increased cases of preventable diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid fever.
By: Canice Amadi, Enugu
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.
