Nation
Equalize to End AIDS.” Banigo Urge Rivers Residents To Utilize The Free HIV Services Across The State
As the World Commemorates the 2022 World Aids Day, Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo says nobody should be left out and people should avail themselves of the available HIV services across the State.
Dr. Banigo stated this in her goodwill message from the Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, 30th November 2022 to commemorate World Aids Day.
According to the Deputy Governor, in line with this year’s theme, which is: “Equalize to End AIDS.” Implementers in the HIV/AIDS response space should focus on underserved populations like pregnant women, children, adolescents, and key populations and people in correctional centers.
Dr. Banigo who reiterated the commitment of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike-led Administration to reduce the disease burden of the Rivers People disclosed that the State was among the 7 states that implement the ADOKIT project. Adolescents Kits for Innovation and Expression.
She also said only three States, Rivers, Lagos and Anambra, are implementing the new YAaH Naija Project which stands for Youthful, Alive and Healthy. This project uses social media to provide HIV services to adolescents, adding that Rivers State has just commenced the Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) targeting People Who Inject Drugs.The Deputy Governor urged all citizens of the state particularly pregnant women to take advantage of these services.
It would be recalled that the 1st of December each year has been set aside to commemorate World Aids Day.
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.
