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Celebrating Breastfeeding Week: A Milestone for Maternal and Child Nutrition in Cross River State By Nkem Ubana and Kebe Ikpi

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As the world observes World Breastfeeding Week this year, Cross River State stands as a shining example of progressive policy and collective action in support of mothers and children. This annual celebration provides an opportunity to reaffirm the critical importance of breastfeeding while recognizing bold steps that enable mothers to provide the best start for their infants. This year’s theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” carries particular significance. It calls on governments, communities, and partners to move beyond awareness-raising and instead track progress, evaluate what has proven effective, and scale up successful approaches that improve breastfeeding outcomes. By focusing on evidence-based interventions that advance nutrition, food security, and poverty reduction, the theme underscores that breastfeeding is not merely a personal choice but a powerful, sustainable public health strategy with lifelong benefits for children...
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The Man James Eni Ibor

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James Eni Ibor was born on July 15, 1978 in Ekori, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State. The first of seven siblings, he spent his early years in Ekori and Calabar, and benefited from the moulding hands of a firm policeman father and a loving but disciplined Deeper Life mother. He began his primary education at St. Francis Primary School, Ekori and completed it at Holy Rosary Primary School, Ulakwo in Imo State in 1990. He was then admitted to St. Patrick’s College, Calabar in 1991 for his secondary school education and completed it in 1998 at Nico Commercial Secondary School, Calabar.   That same year, Ibor joined the employ of Girls’ Power Initiative (GPI), a Nigerian not-for-profit organization committed to the psychological and educational empowerment of young girls. His passion to protect women and other vulnerable groups was nurtured here. His time at the NGO founded by the famous Prof. Bene Madunagu enabled him to meet and interact closely with her equally cereb...
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RECURRING LANDSLIDES IN CROSS RIVER STATE :- TIME FOR ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ECOLOGICAL FUNDS

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The increasing frequency of landslides and other ecological disasters across Cross River State has become a matter of profound public concern. The recent landslide at Anansa, Calabar, is yet another painful reminder of the growing environmental challenges confronting our State. Sadly, this is not an isolated occurrence. Across many parts of Cross River State, communities continue to experience erosion, flooding, landslides, poor drainage, and other forms of environmental degradation that threaten lives, destroy homes and public infrastructure, and undermine sustainable development. What makes this situation particularly disturbing is that Ecological Funds are disbursed every month through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to the Federal Government, State Governments, and Local Government Councils specifically to address ecological problems and mitigate environmental risks. These funds are intended to finance interventions such as erosion control, flood prev...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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