WTC News Blog

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...

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...

.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...

On behalf of Child Protection Network Nigeria, I warmly extend heartfelt Eid al-Fitri greetings to all our Muslim members across the Network as you celebrate the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan 🌙✨ This season is a reminder of sacrifice, compassion, discipline, and devotion—values that you have clearly demonstrated not only in your spiritual commitment during fasting, but also in your unwavering dedication to the protection and wellbeing of children throughout this period. Your selflessness and passionate efforts in responding to cases of child abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence, even while observing the physical and emotional demands of fasting, are deeply commendable. Despite the stress and demands that come with both humanitarian service and Ramadan, you remained steadfast in ensuring that vulnerable children continue to receive care, protection, and hope. Your commitment reflects the true spirit of service and humanity that Ramadan teaches: ca...

The Department of Gender Mainstreaming, with the support of UN Women, the National Council on Climate Change, and the NDC Partnership, convened a high-level stakeholders’ roundtable with climate investors on Care and Climate—a critical step toward building inclusive and climate-resilient systems in Cross River State. At the heart of the conversation was a powerful message: care systems are climate solutions. The Technical Working Group (TWG) on Care presented innovative, practical solutions that directly connect care services with climate action, including: Solar-powered crèches to support working mothers while reducing energy poverty Electric and CNG-powered motorbikes and tricycles, especially tricycles adapted for community healthcare delivery and emergency response Waste-to-biogas solutions for clean cooking and sustainable energy use in households and care facilities. These interventions show that investing in care is not just about social protection—it is a smart clim...

Child Protection Network Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate World Social Work Day, a day set aside globally to recognize the invaluable contributions of social workers to humanity and sustainable development. This year’s theme, “Co-Building Hope and Harmony: A Harambee Call to Unite a Divided Society,” speaks directly to the realities of our world today and strongly aligns with our mission in child protection. The word Harambee, meaning all pull together, reminds us that meaningful social progress can only happen when communities unite, institutions collaborate, and citizens accept collective responsibility for protecting the vulnerable among us, especially children. Today, our societies face many divisions—economic inequalities, social exclusion, cultural misunderstandings, violence, displacement, family breakdown, and rising threats against children. These divisions often create environments where children become the most affected victims. In many communit...

Today, as the world marks International Women's Day, the Young Men Network against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria joins millions of people across the globe in celebrating the strength, resilience, and remarkable contributions of women and girls in our families, communities, and nation. This day is not only a celebration; it is also a call to reflection and action. It reminds us that the journey toward equality, dignity, and safety for women and girls must continue with renewed commitment. In fact, it is not negotiable, it is their right and not a privilege.  As a network of young men dedicated to ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria, we reaffirm our responsibility to challenge harmful norms, promote respect, and actively stand against every form of violence and discrimination against women and girls. Achieving gender equality requires the involvement of men and boys as co-partners, advocates, and allies. We therefore call on communities, insti...

Happy International Women’s Day! Today, Child Protection Network Nigeria (CPN) proudly celebrates the strength, compassion, and resilience of women across Nigeria who play vital roles in shaping the lives and futures of our children. From mothers and caregivers to teachers, social workers, child advocates, and community leaders, women continue to stand at the forefront of protecting children from abuse, exploitation, and all forms of violence. Their dedication nurtures safer homes, stronger communities, and a more hopeful future for every child. We recognize and appreciate the countless women who tirelessly champion the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of children across Nigeria. Your courage, empathy, and commitment inspire lasting change. As we mark this International Women’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to work alongside women everywhere to build a society where every child is protected, valued, and empowered to thrive. We say a Happy International Women’s Day to all th...

Today I joined stakeholders at a stakeholders’ conference organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO Nigeria) and Nigeria UKPACT to discuss economic opportunities in sustainable ecotourism, aquaculture, carbon trading, and other nature-based livelihoods. It was an important room. For me, it wasn’t only about the conversations around policy frameworks, public-private partnerships, and investment pathways in the nature economy, the room confirmed why we started the Bakassi International Fish Festival in the first place. When we founded the festival in 2022, the goal was never just about annual celebrations only.  The deeper vision hasn’t even unfolded fully. As we progress, it will begin to unfold as we are gradually repositioning a fishing community that had long been viewed through the lens of displacement and hardship, while also spotlighting its real assets, its waters, its culture, its people, and its economic potential. Listening t...

Cross River State hosted a Training on Advancing Care-Responsive Climate Investment for Nigeria’s NDC 3.0 (Feb 17–18, 2026). Facilitated by the Department of Gender Mainstreaming in partnership with UN Women and the National Council on Climate Change, the training brought together key stakeholders to examine the care–climate nexus. Discussions highlighted how flooding, heat stress, and food insecurity are increasing unpaid and underpaid care work across communities in Cross River State and Nigeria. Using the 4Rs Framework, we emphasized the need to: Recognize care work Reduce care burdens through climate-smart infrastructure  Redistribute responsibilities across households, markets, and the state Reward care workers Representation of cate givers in decision making. We also explored how to drive investment into climate-smart care systems by: Integrating care into NDC 3.0 implementation plans  Embedding care indicators into climate budgeting and finance f...