WTC News Blog

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...