By Elijah Ugani
Humanity Without Boarders Empowerment Initiative (HUWIB), a pet project of the wife of the Cross River State governor, Bishop Eyo-Anwan Bassey Otu, with support from United Nations Population Fund UNFPA, has taken inter school debate competition to northern cross river state.
The debate which was held June 5th 2025, at Holy Child Secondary School, Ogoja had four schools that took part in the competition.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr Inyang Asibong, welcomed participants to the event and noted that “Humanity Without Boarders is a non-governmental organization founded by t Bishop Eyo-Anwan, Wife of the Governor of Cross River State.
“The governor’s wife has goodwill, empathy and the desire to better the lives of our students through various interventions.
“We have been to this school before. We have visited other schools and initiated agric clubs.
“Today we have come for something else, debate on the topic ” Should Schools be Held responsible for School related gender based violence.
“Other areas of her interventions include Social welfare, taking care of the environment and sporting activities.
“We will keep coming because we want to make sure that all the schools get involved”.
On his part, the Programme Manager, Mr Jeffery Adamade, welcomed the participants and teachers from the participating schools to the debate competition and noted that “The essence of the debate is not to look down on any school. The debate is to enable us know what gender-based violence is all about and get to socialize and familiarize with the different schools around here considering the short notice and invitation. We encourage you to feel free, enjoy yourselves and know that our boss, Bishop Eyo-Anwan Bassey Otu, wife of the governor loves you”.
Earlier, the principal of Holy Child Secondary School, Mount Carmel, Ogoja, Rev Sr Anthonia Eze, welcomed guests and thanked the organizers for choosing the Mount Carmel.
She noted that “Mount Carmel is an ancient school just like Mary knoll College Okuku. I want you to sit enjoy yourself and have fun while you are here”
At the end of the debate, Holy Child Secondary School, Mount Carmel Ogoja, came first, Maryknoll College Okuku came second, St Catherine School, Igoli, came third and John Bosco Academy Adagom, came fourth.
Highlight of the event was presentation of trophy to the overall best school and plaque award to second to the fourth school and group photograph.
UNFPA’s key areas of focus are organized around three transformative results and four core priority areas. Here’s an overview:
Transformative Results
Zero Unmet Need for Family Planning: Providing access to family planning information and services to empower individuals to make informed choices about their reproductive health.
Zero Preventable Maternal Deaths: Strengthening health systems, training health workers, and improving access to maternal health services to reduce maternal mortality.
Zero Gender-Based Violence and Harmful Practices: Working to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, and eliminating harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and child marriage.
Core Priority Areas
Sexual and Reproductive Health: Providing access to quality sexual and reproductive health services, including family planning, maternal health, and HIV/AIDS prevention: Adolescent and Youth Empowerment: Empowering young people to make informed choices about their reproductive health, and providing them with comprehensive sexuality education and opportunities for leadership and participation.
Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: Promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls to exercise their reproductive rights, free from coercion, discrimination, and violence.
Population Data and Analysis: Strengthening national population data systems, and providing technical assistance to countries to improve their data collection and analysis capabilities.
