WTC News Blog

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...

There Has Never Been A Time Like This In The History Of We Africans When Everything Is Towards Finite Reorientation The Leaders Like Ibrahim Traore And The Others From The North Set A Glorious Part Showing The True Strength Of Africa And What Africans Represent He Questioned The Answers Long Presented By The Colonial Masters Turned The Status quo Dared The Supposed Powers From The Global North Or Rather Western World People Who Should Have Been Slaves To Africans The Icing On The Cake About Ibrahim Traore Is That, "He Is Loved By His Countrymen" And In Africa Seen As Messiah Not Just To His People, But To The African Values The World Today Stood In Awe Of His Resolve As A Frontliner In This Quest For African True Freedom Bearing The Spirit Of Franz Fanon And The Aura Of Mohammad Ghaddafi Demonstrate Who A Solder Is In It Real Sense Not Minding The Noise He And Other Twelve Makes The Thirteen African Warriors That Stood As Baobab Sending A Strong Message To The United State Of...

The wife of the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Bishop. Dr. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu has reiterated her commitment to paying more attention to issues around children in street condition in Calabar. The First Lady made the commitment during a courtesy visit by the Cross River State Ministry of Women Affairs in collaboration with Civil Society Organizations that work with children as part of activities marking 2025  Int'l Day of Street Children observed 12th April, yearly. After a robust  interative session and presentation of copies of Concept Notes on Rehabilitation of Street Children in Calabar, Cross River State Child Rights Law as well as Guidelines and Regulations for Alternative Care for Children in Cross River State to Her Excellency the wife of the Governor of Cross River State,  Bish. Dr. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu promised to double her efforts towards addressing the issue of street children in Calabar as part of her Humanitarian Interventions. Speaking earlier, the...

The Chairman, Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty, Ovai Elder Solomon Osim Edward has  pledged his maximum support towards the implementation of the Cross River State Child Rights Law. The Monarch made the commitment during an Advocacy Visit by members of the State Child Rights Law Implementation Committee led by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Edema Irom to his office in Calabar. Ovai Elder Solomon Edward reiterated his passion and commitment towards the welfare of children as well as their Rights, hence, he would not hesitate to give his full support towards the implementation of the Cross River State Child Rights Law. The Chairman, Traditional Rulers Council also informed the committee that the Council will meet in April,2025. He offered to give members of the committee an opportunity to address the Traditional Rulers on the provisions of the Child Rights Law. Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Edema Irom who led the t...

Cross River State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Edema Irom has charged members of the State Child Rights Law Implementation Committee to be committed to ensuring effective implementation of the Cross River State Child Rights Law. Hon. Irom gave the charge at a two - Day Capacity Building Workshop recently organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs in conjunction with Save the Children Int'l for members of the State Child Rights Law Implementation Committee at Ogoja in Cross River State. The Commissioner stated that the capacity building workshop was to acquaint members of the committee with adequate knowledge Child Rights, Child Labour and Protection as well as remediation programmes in Cross River State for effective implementation of the Law. Participants at the workshop were drawn from line Ministries that handle issues related to children such as; Ministry of Women Affairs, Social welfare and Community Development, Education, Health, Information, Justice, Agriculture, St...

 Williams Okoi Arikpo Today is International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation and the Theme for this year is  "Stepping up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM" Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons and is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights, the health and the integrity of girls and women. Girls who undergo female genital mutilation face short-term complications such as severe pain, shock, excessive bleeding, infections, and difficulty in passing urine, as well as long-term consequences for their sexual and reproductive health and mental health. Although primarily concentrated in 30 countries in Africa and the Middle East, female genital mutilation is a universal issue and is also practiced in some countries in Asia and Latin America. Female genital mutilation continues to persist amongst immigrant popul...

Earlier on Friday 1st November, 2024, the attention of the Child Protection Network Nigeria was drawn to the viral video of a significant number of severely malnourished children, who were arraigned at the Federal High Court Abuja on allegations of Treasonable Felony and other charges. These children were said to be have been arrested in August 2024 for participating in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest, which took place some months ago. In a swift response, The National Coordinator of Child Protection Network Nigeria in collaboration with state coordinator of the FCT Chapter immediately initiated response actions by first contacting relevant and concerned actors within and outside the Network, and conveyed an emergency case response team to ascertain the true state of the unfortunate incident, the situation of the minors affected and design a well-coordinated approach and response strategy to address the situation. The Network this evening held an emergency stakeholders meeting...

 Today, as we celebrate the girl child – an embodiment of present realities and future hope, we celebrate not only the achievements of women but also the limitless potentials of girls, who are our future leaders, innovators, and change-makers. This year’s theme, “the Girls Vision for the Future” is apt as it gives us the opportunity to envision the future that we all, including our girls, will walk into. When I think of the future, I see a world where every girl is empowered to dream big and pursue those dreams without fear or limitation. Imagine a society where access to education is universal and girls no longer face barriers based on their gender. This is a future where every girl has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive — where her voice is not just heard, but valued. Education is the key that unlocks doors to opportunities. It equips girls with knowledge and skills, enabling them to contribute to their communities and the world. But we must do more than just provide acce...

A delegation from the Child Protection Network (CPN) in Cross River State visited the Obong of Calabar at his palace located. The purpose of this visit was to address pressing child protection concerns within the community and to strengthen collaborative efforts towards safeguarding children’s rights. The team was led by Bajie Ayuk, the CPN Legal Adviser, Other notable members included Mr. Kingsley, who served as the Public Relations Officer (PRO), and Bar.Obaji who is a legal officer within the network, Sectary and 2 others. Their combined expertise provided a robust foundation for discussing legal frameworks and advocacy strategies concerning child protection. Key Discussions Child Protection Concerns During the meeting, the Cross Rier State CPN Coordinator, Kebe Ikpi represented by the CPN Legal Adviser Bajie Ayuk, Esq,  articulated various child protection issues affecting children in Cross River State. These concerns included: Child Abuse: Highlighting instances of physical, e...

WEDNESDAY 10TH JULY,2024 Just recently, the Governor of Cross River State, Senator(Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, made another set of appointments into key positions of the State Government. Obviously the appointment were made to fill exiating vacancies and perhaps to strengthen the machinery of Governance in the state.  While it remains my personal view that it has become very imperative for all strata of government in our nation to deliberately cut the cost of governance,at this point of economic challenges, through minimizing the number of political appointees  and instead according priority to filling up vacancies in the civil/public service of state, I will however differ to the Wisdom and love for the state the Governor is reputed to have by his decision to further expand the size of his government by this latest tranche of appointment he just made. I now look forward to the appointments translating to a HIGHER QUALITY OF GOVERNANCE centered on the primary interest of the peop...

 Introduction Parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Nigeria face numerous challenges that impact their emotional, financial, and social well-being. These challenges are compounded by a lack of adequate resources, societal stigma, and limited governmental support. Understanding these difficulties is crucial for developing effective interventions and support systems. Emotional and Psychological Challenges 1. Stress and Anxiety: Parents often experience high levels of stress and anxiety due to the constant care and supervision required by their children. The unpredictability of the child's needs and behaviors can lead to chronic stress. 2. Depression: The emotional burden of caring for a child with IDD can lead to depression. Feelings of isolation, helplessness, and grief over unmet expectations for their child’s future are common. 3. Stigma and Discrimination: Parents frequently face societal stigma and discrimination. Misconceptions and negati...

The Cross River State Planning Commission in collaboration with Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) have begun massive advocacy and policy documentation for an increased nutrition budget and implementation of 6 months paid maternity leave in the State. During a stakeholders consultative forum  and policy Dialogue held 11th June, 2024, at the conference room of the State Planning Commission, The Vice Chairman/CEO of the State Planning Commission, Mr Bong Duke, in his opening remark, restated Cross River State Government’s commitment to an increased Nutrition budget which had already begun with the increase of nutrition in the budget for 2024 from 30 million to 200 Million of which funds have been released. The policy Dialogue which was put in place to secure commitment from policy makers and ensure adequate and prompt release for Nutrition in the state had in attendance, Government Officials, Representatives from ministries of the State Government, Civil society,...

 The New National Anthem Nigeria, we hail thee, Our own dear native land, Though tribe and tongue may differ, In brotherhood, we stand, Nigerians all, and proud to serve Our sovereign Motherland. Our flag shall be a symbol That truth and justice reign, In peace or battle honour’d, And this we count as gain, To hand on to our children A banner without stain. O God of all creation, Grant this our one request, Help us to build a nation Where no man is oppressed, And so with peace and plenty Nigeria may be blessed.

Today, 23rd day of May, 2024, the Cross River State Command of National Agency For The Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons  (NAPTIP) secured conviction in Charge NO: FHC/CA/86C/2023 between the Federal Republic of Nigeria V. Prince Joseph Mark Ekpo filed on the 20th day of June, 2023. The Defendant is a man of 32 years old who sexually assaulted two minors: 11 years old and 6 years old. The Defendant was charged with 2 Counts Charge bothering on Trafficking in Persons by means of deception and abuse of position of vulnerability contrary to Section 13(2)(b) of the Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 in Counts 1 and Sexual Exploitation contrary to Section 15(b) of the Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 in Counts 2. The Court per Hon Justice Ijeoma L. Ojukwu sitting in Court 1 of the Federal High Court, Calabar found the Defendant guilty on the counts 1 & 2 respectively  On Count 1, the Court s...