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Statement by the National Coordinator, Child Protection Network (CPN) Nigeria, on the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

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Today, as we commemorate the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, I pay glowing tribute to every member of the Child Protection Network (CPN) Nigeria for your unimaginable courage, selfless sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to protecting Nigeria's children from trafficking, exploitation, abuse, and all forms of violence. Child trafficking remains one of the gravest violations of children's rights. It robs children of their freedom, dignity, education, safety, and future. As child protection actors, we have a collective responsibility to ensure that no child is bought, sold, exploited, or deprived of the opportunity to thrive. I am particularly proud that since assuming office as National Coordinator in September 2022, CPN Nigeria, with the bold cooperation of CPN members and invaluable support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has successfully conducted over 350 family tracing and reunification exercises for trafficked and vulnerabl...

A Call for Renewed Commitment to Protect Our Children By Kebe Ikpi

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The recent reshuffle of the Cross River State Executive Council by His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, and the scheduled meeting with the newly constituted EXCO today, represent timely and purposeful leadership. In appointing new commissioners and realigning portfolios, the Governor has demonstrated responsiveness to the demands of governance and a clear intent to inject fresh energy into the machinery of state.   We at the Child Protection Network Nigeria, Cross River State Chapter, commend this decisive action. Effective leadership is not only about political recalibration; it is about creating the conditions for every sector, especially those that safeguard the most vulnerable, to deliver results. However, leadership must be measured by the priority it accords to those who cannot vote or lobby for themselves - our children.   Violence Against Children remains one of the most urgent and under-addressed challenges facing Nigeria and Cross River State. Ac...

BISHOP DR. EYOANWAN OTU COMMENDS HELLO INTERNATIONAL'S MEDICAL INTERVENTION IN CROSS RIVER STATE.By: Rekpene Uket.

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Her Excellency, the wife of the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Bishop Dr. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu has commended Hello International, a Non- Governmental organization for their medical intervention programme organized recently at the General Hospital, Calabar. A comprehensive survivor -centred medical intervention that provides free surgical repairs for obstetrics fistula -(VVF/RVF) and a holistic support that restores dignity of women through rehabilitation, economic empowerment and integration of survivors into the society.     Bishop Dr. Eyoanwan Otu who was ably represented by her Special Adviser on Programmes, Apostle Queen Eton gave the commendation during a Symposium organized recently by Hello International through the She Matters Initiative in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), World Health Organization (WHO) as well as the Government of Cross River State at the State Library, Calabar.     The wife of th...

Forests, People, and Policy: Shifting Power and Strategies for Combating Deforestation Through Social and Behaviour Change CommunicationWritten by Lawrence (Peter Program Officer, Mining, FLAG & Energy Transition)

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Deforestation continues to pose a significant threat to environmental sustainability, climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on forests for survival.  Across many developing countries, forests are disappearing at alarming rates due to agricultural expansion, logging, mining activities, infrastructure development, and increasing pressure on natural resources. While governments and development partners have implemented various policies and interventions aimed at reducing forest loss, the challenge persists because deforestation is not solely an environmental issue. It is deeply rooted in social, economic, behavioral, and governance dynamics that influence how communities interact with forest resources. Consequently, addressing deforestation requires a holistic approach that places people at the center of conservation efforts. This makes the theme of the 4th Multi-Stakeholder Meeting, “Forests, People, and Policy: Shifting P...

Cross River's Vanishing Rainforests: A Civic Imperative for Collective Action. Written by Kebe Ikpi

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Cross River State stands as Nigeria's last great bastion of tropical rainforest — a natural heritage of immeasurable value, not only to Nigerians but to humanity itself. Yet this treasure faces an existential threat. What was once an unbroken expanse of biodiversity-rich forest, contiguous with Cameroon's woodlands and home to critically endangered species like the Cross River gorilla, Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee, forest elephants, and countless endemic flora and fauna, is now fragmenting at an alarming rate. The data is stark: over 60% of the original forest cover has disappeared. Satellite imagery confirms the loss of more than 134,000 hectares between 2001 and 2023 alone. Illegal logging, agricultural encroachment, mining, weak law enforcement, and infrastructure pressures continue to degrade these vital ecosystems — transforming dense rainforests into grasslands, eroding carbon sinks, disrupting climate regulation, and undermining the livelihoods of indi...

Power, Purpose, Persistence: A Clarion Call for the Next Generation Written By Kebe Ikpi

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There is a profound joy in witnessing a vision not only conceived but sustained with unwavering commitment. In a world where many initiatives flicker and fade, The Bridge Leadership Foundation (TBLF), under the visionary stewardship of its founder, Senator Liyel Imoke, stands as a beacon of consistency and excellence. As we approach the 16th Career Day Conference, scheduled for Saturday, 11th July 2026, my heart is filled with gratitude for a platform that has faithfully bridged the gap between potential and reality for over a decade and a half. The theme for this year's gathering—"Power, Purpose, Persistence: Youth Leading Change for The Next 15 Years" (and more) — is not merely a slogan; it is a prophetic declaration. It speaks directly to the future and calls out it's architects - the youth. We are not merely waiting for change; we are empowered to lead it. The call to "Power" reminds us of individual potential endowment for impact; "Purpose" al...

2026 IWD: C'RIVER WOMEN HIT THE STREETS IN A MEGA MATCH IN MARCH.By: Rekpene Uket

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.Activities in commemoration of International Women's Day (IWD) climaxed in Cross River State with a mega rally tagged " Women's Match in March" organized by the Cross River State Ministry of Women Affairs in collaboration with her partners to mark grand finale of series of activities embarked upon within the month of march in commemoration of this year's Int'l Women's Day.     Flagging off the rally at the millennium park, Calabar, Her Excellency, the wife of the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Bishop Dr. Mrs Eyoanwan Bassey Otu who was ably represented by the Special Adviser to the wife of Governor on Programmes, Apostle Queen Eton commended the women for their resilience, dexterity and contributions to the growth and development of the society.   On that note, she flagged off the rally in the name of the triune God.    The women matched through some major streets in Calabar metropolis from 11-11 through Calabar road, Mary Slessor...