UNFPA Commended for Effective Implementation of Programmes in Cross River

Iloke Egbe MIDC 

The Commissioner, Ministry of International Donor Coordination, Elder Hippolatus O. Lukpata has commended United Nations Pupolation Fund for their ethical approach in the implementation of their outline of activities for 2025 in the State, adding that UNFPA followed their annual work plan chronologically and it has enhanced results based monitoring evaluation process.

He made the remarks while declaring open quarterly programme coordination and review meeting with implementing partners held at the Ministry of Women Affairs Conference Hall, Calabar. The Commissioner made it clear that the 2025 End of Year Programme Review and 2026 work plan meeting is scheduled to take place and is a very critical activity in UNFPA, adding that the Review is actually a monitoring mechanism meant to give stakeholders an opportunity to look back at the year’s activities to examine the status or extent of implementation.

Adding her voice, the Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs Hon. Ihom Edema, represented by the Director, Women, Mrs. Monica Udams, welcomed all to the meeting and urged participants to adopt due diligence in the execution of their projects and to cultivate timely reporting culture as a way of enhancing their delivery credibility and wished all fruitful deliberations. 

Objectives of the event include to examine the extent of programme implementation in 2025 with focus on achievement of planned targets, milestones and results and to identify factors (if any) that militated against the achievement of planned results, Constraints, Challenges including impediments. To identify lessons learnt, including best practices in the course of implementation and to see how these can be replicated or used for future planning and programming.

To begin the process of identifying high priority activities implementable in 2026 taking into cognizance the Human Development Indicators of the State and to agree on strategies to improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of programme delivery and reporting in 2026.

Highlights of the meeting were paper presentations on work plan to prepare grounds for the UNFPA 2025 End Year Review/2026 Work Plan Meeting, Presentation of 2025 activities implementations Reports and proposed 2026 planned activities, Compliance, Retirements and Reporting with Supporting Documents, questions and answers and group photograph.

C/River Committee on Food and Nutrition hold Stakeholders Sensitization Training on LGCFN Interventions and Data Collection at Effraya

Iloke Egbe SPC 

One day stakeholders sensitization Training on Food and Nutrition Interventions and Data Collection for the implementation of N774 Federal Government programme has been held at Effraya, Etung Council Secretariat.

Declaring the training open, the Etung LG Council chairman, represented by the vice chairman Hon. Innocent Assam admitted that given the multisectoral nature of food and nutrition interventions there is need for all critical stakeholders to commune together and desert the situation together in order for proper understanding and to enhance the needed contributions. 

 He appreciated the resource persons for making the needed sacrifices to come down for the training and prayed for God’s guidance and protection throughout the duration of the training and beyond while giving the assurance that Etung LG Council is ready to give the Local Government Committee on Food and Nutrition all the needed support to be first and the best in the State.

In her remarks, the State Nutrition Officer Mrs Nkem Eyong Ubana informed that following the unveiling and implementation of the N774 initiative in Nigeria, with the office of the Vice President as the national coordinating centre, States were required to follow suit by inaugurating the State wings and cascading to the Local Governments. In addition, the National Policy on Nutrition was domesticated by Cross River State, with the State Planning Commission saddled with the responsibility of coordinating food and nutrition response in the state. 

In line with the above, Etung Local Government Committee on Food and Nutrition was inaugurated on May 7, 2025 with a charge to synergize across sectors to ensure food sufficiency and adequate nutrition for all residents especially under five children, expectant and lactating mothers and other vulnerable populations.

That stakeholders and sector operators get versed with the roles and responsibilities expected of them in the implementation of the initiative. Therein lies the essence of this training in Etung Local Government Area.

The training objectives includes Sensitize stakeholders on the N774 programme and present an overview of the initiative;

Acquaint stakeholders on the significance of data collection and rendition;

Conduct orientation for stakeholders on the multi-sectoral nature of nutrition intervention; Present the nutrition situation in Cross River State and Etung local Government Area; Discuss progress made so far, challenges and the way forward.

The training featured paper presentations, panel discussion, questions and answers and group photographs.

Without Reliable and Timely Data, Planning is a GuessWork - Bong Duke

Iloke Egbe SPC 

The Vice Chairman, Chief Executive Officer Cross River State Planning Commission Pastor Dr. Bong Duke has affirmed that planning without reliable and timely data is simply a guesswork, that with modern data the State can prioritize scarce resources where they matter most, track results and ensure social justice and inclusion.

He stated this when he declared open a one day training workshop organized by the State Bureau of Statistics in commemoration of African statistics day, held at Marian hotel Calabar with the theme, leveraging innovation in Data and statistics to promote a just, peaceful, inclusive and prosperous Cross River State.

That recent seasons have shown increased domestic tourism activity, underscoring the economic potential of tourism for jobs and revenue generation in communities, adding that these assets create imperative to plan smartly so that growth benefits ordinary Cross Riverians in all Local Governments Areas including urban and rural. That smart planning requires granular, timely and accurate data on households, labour markets, informal enterprises, infrastructure gaps and environmental risks.

He expressed his appreciation to the Governor His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu for his Visionary support for integrated planning and data-driven governance, will calling on all MDAs to partner with the Bureau of Statistics, commit to credible administrative data, train Staff on data use and support efforts to digitalize and standardize reporting.

Earlier the acting Director of Statistics, Mrs. Akedoh Edet informed that African Statistics Day gives stakeholders an annual opportunity to emphasize the centrality of data in the development of the society. She admitted that over the years, the Bureau of Statistics has advanced several initiatives to improve the timeliness and quality of statistics, digitalizing core surveys, expanding data dissemination channels to reach Ministries, Departments and Agencies including the public and strengthening partnerships for technical support.

She called on MDAs to deepen collaboration with Bureau of Statistics by sharing administrative records and jointly define indicators by making evidence central to budgeting and monitoring.

She informed that the Bureau is committed to launch targeted capacity-building workshops for MDAs data officers, publish a user-friendly State data dashboard that will highlight progress on priority sectors. Strengthen gender-disaggregated and sub-State level statistics to guide inclusive policy. Deepen collaboration with the planning Commission to ensure statistics feed directly into the State Development plan. 

Highlights of the event were paper presentations, panel discussion, goodwill messages, cultural dance, questions and answers, award presentation to distinguished personality and group photograph, while dignitaries from World Health Organization, BTAN, NBS, UNHCR, MDAs graced the event.

Former Assembly Aspirant Commend Governor Otu's Chief of Protocol for Exemplary Leadership

Former Assembly Aspirant Commends Governor Otu’s Chief of Protocol for Exemplary Leadership

A prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former aspirant for the Boki II Assembly seat in the 2023 elections, Mr. Victor Agbor, has praised Governor Bassey Otu’s Chief of Protocol, Hon. Sylvester Abang, for his pragmatic and inclusive leadership, particularly in Boki Local Government Area.

Speaking on behalf of his protégé, Patrick Binang Odu, a beneficiary of the Governor’s youth empowerment program, Agbor highlighted how SCOP’s leadership created opportunities for young Cross Riverians of Boki extraction. “Without the SCOP, I would not have been able to nominate him [Patrick]. He gave me the chance, and I am grateful for that opportunity. The beneficiary is already effectively utilizing the funding, and I am closely supervising his progress, Agbor said.

The former assembly aspirant also reserved special praise for Governor Otu, describing his people-centered policies and effective governance as transformative for the State. According to Agbor, these initiatives and the broader ‘People First’ agenda are repositioning Cross River as a leading destination for business, tourism, and leisure in Nigeria.

Governor Otu had, over a month ago, disbursed N800 million in empowerment funds to young Cross Riverians, with individual grants of N2 million aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and economic self-reliance. Agbor expressed appreciation for the Governor’s broad-based approach, noting that SCOP’s oversight ensured that the support reached deserving beneficiaries and served the overall interest of society.

This kind of leadership is what young people need, Agbor added, emphasizing that strategic support and mentorship are key to unlocking the potential of Cross River’s youth.

NG-CARES Coordinator Expresses Satisfaction on Impact of Projects Executed across the State

By Iloke Egbe

The State Coordinator, Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES), Mr. Henry Egbelo, has expressed excitement on the positive impact of NG-CARES projects executed in different communities across the State, while describing the overall success of the scheme as successful and people-oriented.

He stated this during unscheduled visits to some project sites in different locations in the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts of the State. Mr. Egbelo, who personally interacted with some beneficiaries of NG-CARES inputs distribution at Imaje-Yala in Yala Local Government Area, admitted that when the selection process is devoid of sentiment, the outcome is always very impactful because inputs are given to the rightful and qualified persons who are the direct beneficiaries, and this enhances the multiplier effect of the intervention.

In an interview with some beneficiaries, Mr. Thomas Ebekwe Eju, a rice farmer, informed that their cooperative society, Global Leaders Multipurpose Cooperative Society, benefited from a hand tiller machine, which has helped them to multiply their output, as a hectare of land is tilled in a day, whereas ten days were not enough to work a hectare of land manually, adding that the machine also generates income for the cooperative.

Mr. Daman Azochi Ateh and Mr. Odey Samuel Ajima from Akreha Echumofana, Eastern Yala in Yala Local Government, alluded that they got grants from the NG-CARES programme, which has helped them to expand their mixed crops farming.

At Omuru Community in Olulumon, Okuni, Mr. Paul Alubi and Mrs. Faith Ijoma confirmed that the facilities provided by NG-CARES, such as the classroom block and solar-powered borehole, have helped to improve the living standards of the community.

Also, in Agbaragba, Ikom LGA, Mr. Hilary Ogonyi Eyam thanked the Governor and the project funders for the successful completion of the facility located at St. Mary’s Primary School, Agbaragba, which includes a primary school block and a solar-powered borehole.

In Abini, Biase Local Government, the community youth leader, Mr. Eteng Otong Ikwo, thanked the Governor for the 2km Abini-Agwuagune farm access road rehabilitation, adding that the road has helped the community in the evacuation of farm produce to the market, but noted that the road now needs maintenance and expansion to the Agwuegwune axis. The same situation was reported at Ofodua in Obubra Local Government, where the Youth Leader, Comr. Jude Obeten, informed that the Onyekpenden-Ofodua farm access road links seven farming palm plantations, asserting that the road is an inter-local government road which has helped in the evacuation of farm produce but needs rehabilitation and extension.

The team also visited Comprehensive High School, Ogaga in Yala, where a laboratory block housing Biology, Chemistry, and Physics labs was seen being effectively used by students, including the solar-powered borehole. In an interview, the School Principal, Mrs. Cordelia Undelikwo Akeh, and the Clan Head, HRH Ogamode Ogar Ipoule, both thanked the Governor for the facilities located in the community that have served the people well.

Other places visited include Abetianbe Poultry Farm at Obudu in Obudu Local Government, where the Director, Mr. Gabriel Adie Abetianbe, informed that he started the business in 2021 and that the grant extended to him courtesy of NG-CARES has sustained the business, which now has 700 layers with full-time staff.

At K&C Water Factory, Ikanghaba Community along Border Road, Ikom, Ikom LGA, the Manager, Mr. Nzie Osim Agbor, disclosed that the company has over 40 staff with over ₦2 million as monthly salaries. The team also visited the wet-season market at Ikom Monday Market. From the interviews with beneficiaries, there is an appeal for the expansion and inclusion of more beneficiaries in the NG-CARES programme, with a sustainability mechanism embedded in the implementation process.

2026 Nutrition Budget will Be Properly Tag for easy Tracking of Performance across Implementing MDAs SA Budget

Iloke Egbe SPC 

The Special Adviser to the State Governor on Budget, Mr Otu Otu Ita has asserted that by 2026 the State Nutrition Budget will be more robust and simplify when compare with past efforts for more clarity when tracking it performance.

Mr. Otu represented by the Director Budget in the office Mr Ubi, Benjamin Williams stated this when he granted audience to the State Technical Committee on Food Nutrition during a working visit to his office, Budget Department, Governor's Office Calabar.

Mr. Ubi informed that a lot of work has already been done and Cross River State is not one of the State lacking in the expansion and inclusive budgeting in respect of nutrition activities. He admitted that His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu is solidly behind the advancement of nutrition reports and the support they received from the State House of Assembly. That by 2026 the State Nutrition Budget will have the right tags (Nut) indicating Nutrition in all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies implementing nutrition activities, adding that they are well guided by the State Annual operational Plan.

Earlier, the Chairman State Committee on Food and Nutrition and Permanent Secretary,  State Planning Commission Mr. Kingsley Ndem Eyibio reiterated that Budget tagging enhances transparency and accountability while expressing his appreciation to the budget office for the support and cordiality the committee has enjoyed from the office.

In his words, the chairman said we seek your usual support and collaboration to ensure proper tagging of nutrition activities in the Budget even beyond your office.

On her part the State Nutrition Officer, Mrs Nkem Eyong Ubana informed that currently only eleven States in the federation were able to do proper budget tagging of nutrition. That some staff were trained on Budget tagging and appeal that all nutrition activities should be properly tagged. That tagging is one of the Mile stones to achieve in other to avoid having red on the State performance template. 

She used the opportunity to appreciate Civil Society Scaling up Nutrition in Nigeria and the State Governor for their support to the committee.

The visit featured questions and answers and group photograph. In attendance were members of the State Technical office on Food and Nutrition, officials of Civil Society Scaling up Nutrition in Nigeria and Directors and heads of Departments in the State Budget Office Calabar.

NG-CARES Cross River Set to Receive Abuja Team on a Working Visit to the State

By Iloke Egbe

The State Coordinator, Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES), Mr. Henry Egbelo, has charged delivery platforms (DPs) under NG-CARES to maintain the tempo of activities in their platforms as they prepare to receive officials of the NG-CARES Abuja office in the State for a working visit.

He gave the charge during a pre-visit review meeting with delivery platforms in the State, held at the NG-CARES office number 4 School Road State Housing Estate Calabar, reiterating that the State came second in Nigeria and first in the South-South zone, a result of the hard work of all stakeholders in the project. He emphasized that it is important that the quality of service delivery is not compromised.

According to him, part of the objectives of the visit to the State is to assess the human impacts of NG-CARES and the resilience narratives, as the State remains a leading performer across all delivery platforms.

He used the opportunity to appreciate the Governor, His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, for the support given to NG-CARES programmes in Cross River State and for providing a conducive environment for all platforms to carry out their activities effectively.

He also called on Information, Education, and Communication Specialists in all the delivery platforms to step up their efforts and give the project the needed publicity that will enhance greater public awareness of its activities.

Highlights of the meeting included updates on the status of each delivery platform, a question-and-answer session, and a group photograph. Delivery platforms in attendance included Labour Intensive Public Works (LIPW), Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), State Cash Transfer Unit (SCTU), State Operation Coordinating Unit (SOCU), Medium and Small Enterprises (MSE), and Cross River FADAMA.