WTC News Blog

Abuja, 14 September 2026 —  The Child Protection Network Nigeria (CPN Nigeria) commends members of the public, concerned citizens and child protection actors who have spoken out and taken action following the circulation of disturbing videos depicting the alleged abuse and exploitation of children in recent days. The cases, including the alleged sexual abuse of a seven-year-old girl by her mother and the disturbing case of a 13-year-old boy in Abia State who was reportedly stripped, tied and severely flogged, are deeply troubling reminders that children remain vulnerable to violence, exploitation and abuse—even within environments where they should be safest. CPN Nigeria particularly commends the Nigeria Police Force for its prompt response to these incidents and the immediate arrest of persons allegedly connected to the reported abuses. In the Abia case, the Police acted after the disturbing video came to public attention, rescued the child, provided medical attention and placed h...

The Propriety of Mass Weddings and the Imperative to End Child Betrothal. Mass weddings are collective ceremonies uniting many couples at once, often organised by religious, traditional or community bodies. Supporters highlight lower costs, communal solidarity and administrative efficiency, especially in resource-scarce settings. When restricted to consenting adults of full legal capacity, such events can be a legitimate social practice. Propriety, however, demands respect for autonomy, dignity and the rights of every participant. That propriety collapses the moment children are involved. Any alleged betrothal or marriage of a child bride in a mass wedding must be condemned without reservation. A child is not a party capable of consenting to marriage. Early marriage interrupts education, exposes girls to early pregnancy and its attendant health risks, heightens vulnerability to violence, and extinguishes childhood itself. Public celebration of such unions normalises the harm and compou...

A recent poll on Lekeelekee, Africa’s homegrown social media platform, highlights a critical shortfall in public awareness of Violence Against Children (VAC) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Asked “Do you know where to report if you become aware of or experience VAC or GBV?”, 50% answered “Yes,” 40% said “No,” and 10% chose “Tell me more about VAC and GBV.” Half the respondents either lack knowledge of reporting channels or want basic education on the issues themselves. This gap has serious consequences. Unreported cases allow abuse to continue, leave survivors isolated, and hinder prevention and justice. In a digital space connecting millions across Africa and the diaspora, the finding is both a warning and an opportunity. What VAC and GBV Mean VAC includes physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, neglect, and exploitation of anyone under 18, corporal punishment, child marriage, trafficking, and online harm. GBV covers harmful acts based on gender, primarily affecting women and girls bu...

Introduction Few topics in education generate as much heat as sexuality education. In classrooms from Monrovia to Kampala to Nairobi, the question is rarely whether children will learn something about their bodies and their futures — but what, when, who decides, and under whose authority. Two dominant frameworks have emerged in the global conversation: age-appropriate education (developmental, staged, context-sensitive) and rights-based education (framed around the child's individual entitlements, often anchored in international covenants). The two are not enemies, but in practice they have been treated as rivals — and the collision has produced bans, protests, court battles, and confused curricula. This article draws the line between the two, using Liberia and other countries as case studies, and recommends the approach that best protects the child. Defining the Two Paradigms Age-appropriate education is developmental. It asks: What does a child at this stage of cognit...

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,...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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...