Nation
NDA Conducts Final Drill For Cadets …Urges Public Not To Panic
The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has urged the public in Kaduna and Plateau axis not to panic over movement of troops and military equipment from July 30 to August 11.
The academy said in a statement by Maj. Victor Olukoya on Saturday in Kaduna that the movement was a training exercise for Cadets of 70 Regular Course and Direct Short Service Course 27.
Olukoya explained that “Exercise Camp Highland” was designed to test the cadets’ leadership skills, physical fitness, and command and control abilities, among other military competencies.
“The exercise is an important military training activity used in ascertaining the preparedness of the cadets for Commissioning as Officers into the Nigerian Armed Forces”, she said.
According to him, some phases of the exercise would take place in Heipang, and at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Shere Hills, Plateau.
He further said tactical and battle inoculation drills would be conducted in Kachia general area, Kaduna State, within the same period.
He therefore urged communities living around Heipang and Shere Hills, and those in Katul Crossing, Fadan Kamanta axis, Kaduna State, not to panic over the mass movement of military personnel, vehicles and equipment.
He added that the tactical drills would involve firing and simulation of small arms and artillery weapons.
“Residents in the general areas mentioned above are therefore advised not to panic but to go about their normal daily routine activities without fear.
“They are too however report any breach of security to the nearest authorities”, the NDA spokesman said.
Olukoya also advised locals around Aninkwa, Insame and neighboring communities to stay away from the live firing area during the period of the exercise.
“On our part, all necessary safety measures and arrangements have been put in place to ensure safety in the exercise areas.
“We wish to appeal for cooperation from the local communities directly affected by the exercise, and Nigerians as a whole, as we train future military leaders for our Armed Forces,” Olukoya 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.
