By Ukongikwen Adie-Nzuanke
Calabar, Nigeria – In a joint commitment towards the realisation of the 2025-2027 Work Plan for the rights of children and women in Cross River State, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Enugu Chief of Field Office, Juliet Chiluwe, led an advocacy team to Calabar, on 12th March 2025, on a working visit to the Office of the Acting Governor of the State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey (PhD).
Speaking during the visit, Chiluwe paid the highest compliments to the State Governor, Senator (Prince) Bassey Otu, for his sterling leadership as a great advocate for the welfare of women and children in the State.
She noted that the State’s commitment is a sign of anticipated progress in working with UNICEF towards the improvement in child health indices in Cross River State.
The key intervention actions for the 2025-2027 Work Plan are: Health, Nutrition, Education, Child Protection, Social Policy and WASH.
The Commissioner for lnternational Donor Co-ordination, Dr Hipolatus Lukpata, who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Barr. Anthony Effiom, and the Director of Administration to the advocacy expressed confidence that the 2025-2027 work plan will strengthen all that have been achieved previously so as to ensure that the women and children in Cross River State are educated, healthy and protected.
The Acting Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, lauded UNICEF for their collaboration with the State towards improving the lives of children and women.
Odey informed the team that Otu has since the inception of the administration addressed issues of counterpart funding without delay because of his belief in his ‘PEOPLE FIRST’ mantra.
He assured UNICEF of the Government’s unwavering commitment to working with them in all areas of intervention and actions for the holistic development of mother and child.
The high point of the visit was the signing of the 2025-2027 UNICEF/ Government of Cross River State Work Plan.
