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THE SILENT ECONOMIC & EMOTIONAL TAX ON CHILDLESS COUPLES Written By Blessing Ojoma Onakpa

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Last time, I spoke about why marriage should not be reduced to procreation. Today, I want us to look at another side of the same issue: the emotional and financial price couples sometimes pay because society expects them to have children at all costs. For some couples, the struggle to have a child is already painful enough. But instead of receiving understanding and support, they are often faced with questions, pressure, comparisons, unsolicited advice and constant reminders that they are yet to have children. And that pressure can become expensive. Some couples move from one hospital to another, try different fertility treatments, spend money on traditional remedies, visit different religious centres, travel for treatment and sometimes exhaust their savings—all while desperately trying to meet society’s expectations. Let me be clear: there is absolutely nothing wrong with seeking medical help when you genuinely want a child. The problem begins when people feel they must keep spending,...
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MARRIAGE SHOULD NOT BE REDUCED TO PROCREATION Written By Blessing Ojoma Onakpa

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I honestly believe it is time we have a serious conversation about the way society views marriage and childbearing. Procreation should not be presented as the only purpose or measure of a successful marriage. Not every couple will have children, and not everyone even wants children. Yet, because of the enormous pressure society places on couples especially women…many women are subjected to insults, shame, rejection, emotional abuse and unbearable pressure simply because they have not conceived. Some marriages have become chaotic because of this mentality. Some women have suffered deeply, and some have tragically lost their lives under the weight of the stigma and pressure. We need a radical reorientation. Marriage should be about love, companionship, partnership, understanding, friendship and building a meaningful life together. Children can be a beautiful part of that journey, but they should not be the yardstick for determining a woman’s worth or the success of a marriage. Even from ...
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CONGRATULATION ON THREE YEARS OF IMPACTFUL SERVICE

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Congratulations to my boss and leader, Hon. Edema Irom, Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs, on the remarkable achievement of three years in office. Your tenure has been defined by purposeful leadership and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of women, children and vulnerable persons across Cross River State. Through your leadership, the Ministry has championed policies and programmes addressing Gender-Based Violence, child protection, gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, nutrition, social inclusion, and sexual and reproductive health and rights. Your dedication to advancing the rights, dignity and wellbeing of women and children has been truly inspiring. Beyond your achievements as Commissioner, you have also been a wonderful boss and mentor. Your guidance, encouragement, trust and positive influence have impacted my life greatly, and I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to serve and learn under your leadership. As you celebrate three years of servic...
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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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