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  • Linda Ayade Joins Ministry Of Women Affairs To Commemorate 2022 IWD In Calabar

    Linda Ayade Joins Ministry Of Women Affairs To Commemorate 2022 IWD In Calabar

    By Margaret Asikong

    The wife of Cross River State Governor, Lady Dr Linda Ayade, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs (MOWA), have joined the rest of the world to celebrate the International Women’s Day (IWD) recently in Calabar, with the theme: “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow”.

    Speaking at the premises of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Hope Waddel Avenue, Calabar, the venue for the celebration, the First Lady of the State, DrAyade said that it is an honour for her to be in the company of many amazing women on the special occasion of celebrating womanhood and reviewing their progress in the fight for freedom from stereotypes and discrimination that has gone on for many years.

    She stated that the theme for 2022 IWD focuses on breaking the bias against women and that they want a world where their uniqueness as women is valued as well as celebrated rather than for it to be opposed, despised and ignored, adding that they want a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive, amongst others.

    She maintained that it is in pursuit of these goals that the UN Women aptly chose the theme for 2022 IWD.
    According to the Governor’s wife “Our society is better off when women get the opportunities they deserve. Our society has been deprived of certain advancements as a result of the woman being denied leadership opportunity and for many years this has been the status quo”, adding that, “Our plight as women in Nigeria is largely in our hands and whatever path we choose to follow will determine our ultimate end”.

    Dr. Linda Ayade lamented that among the sixty-eight proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution that members of the National Assembly had to vote on recently, only one out of the five gender equality bills passed, while the other four failed, adding that, about 95% men voted against some of the constitutional amendments that women want, such as; the right for a women to take indigene-ship of her husband’s state after five years of marriage, 35% affirmative action for women in party administration and leadership; 35% appointed positions to be reserved for women, specific seats to be allocated for women in the National Assembly and the right for a Nigerian woman to grant her foreign-born husband Nigerian Citizenship, yet, according to her, a Nigerian man’s foreign-born wife gets automatic citizenship.

    She maintained that having women in leadership position should become the norm and not the exception as many women have reached the apex of business conglomerates and banking institutions, while many seat on decision-making boards across the country and that excluding the woman from leadership positions is to exclude half of the country’s population from exercising their inherent talents and abilities. She however expressed joy that CRS is taking the lead in the political empowerment for women, with abundance of women at every strategic position in the state such as; the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Commissioner, Special Adviser, Director-General, Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Councilors, adding that, the narrative has changed, they have been strong in their fight for emancipation.
    She called on CRS women to become mentors to the younger generation that their daughters can look up to, teaching them by example to be assertive and also respectful; visionary, contented, hardworking and submissive to their husbands, amongst others, while applauding the women who have taken the bull by the horn on building a sustainable future for the young women.

    Lady Dr Ayade stated that her pledge to continue reaching women and the vulnerable in every LGA in the state with livelihood support and health inputs is real and that she has continued to redeem this across the state through the many activities and interventions of her NGOs – the Mediatrix Development Foundation (MDF) and Cross River Women Emancipation Initiative (CROWEI).

    She used the occasion to express thanks to the organizations whose invaluable partnership has made their work impactful in various communities in Cross River and beyond such as; the United Nation High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN women, UNFPA, Lafarge Africa, United Purpose, amongst others, while also expressing thanks to all present, especially the women of CRS for their support, as she looks forward to achieving a gender-balanced CRS with their support and wished all a happy women’s day.

    Also speaking, the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Mrs. Tina Banku Agbor said that the IWD is a special day to celebrate themselves as women not as men. According to her, a house without a woman looks different and is not complete, for the woman’s role is complementary, while admonishing the men to allow the women to be equal even in leadership position, for with a woman they can always sleep with their eyes closed, adding that, the women are capable of discharging their duties and assigned responsibilities effectively and efficiently and will not betray the men, amongst other things.

    Earlier in her welcome address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs, Surv. Dr. Gertrude Nnanjah Njar, on behalf of the entire staff of CRS Ministry of Women Affairs welcomed the wife of the State Governor and members of her entourage, as well as distinguished guests, the women of CRS and all present to the 2022 IWD.

    According to her, the MOWA is the hub of great activities in the Ayade-led administration with its mandate to cater for the women and children and that it has gone to the level of catering for the men as well as they are part of the women and society, hence the less traffic of complaints to the Office if the Wife of the Governor.
    She maintained that March 8, is always a great day for the women and girls internationally and that the women of CRS are joining their counterparts globally for the celebration of the great day set aside for women since 1917 after the Soviet-Russia women protest for the right to vote and be voted for, while lamenting that 105 years later, the women are still agitating for gender equality for a sustainable tomorrow.

    Surv. Dr. Gertrude Njar stated that women have strategic objectives and goals especially to groom leaders for tomorrow; create more successful entrepreneurs; create employment and wealth for women and girls, connect communities and build an ecosystem where everyone will connect digitally, share knowledge, as well as build communities for the future.

    In their goodwill messages, the Chairman of Calabar South LGA, Hon (Mrs) Esther Bassey, her counterpart in Odukpani LGA, Ntukai Hon (Mrs) Justina Edem and the Vice Chairman of Bakassi LGA and President of CROWEI, Eti-Eka Lawrencia Ita (JP) also lend their voices to congratulated all the women who have excelled in their chosen fields and expressed appreciation to Lady Dr Ayade and her dear husband for ensuring that many women are being brought into the Ayade-led administration , adding that, it is high time they showcase their God given talents, amongst other things.

    Highlights at the event included; presentation of award to Dr Linda Ayade, award of prizes to the winners of the march past, with Odukpani LGA taking the 1st position, Calabar South, 2nd position and Calabar Municipality taking the 3rd position respectively; goodwill messages, from UNFPA, NIDF, GADA, FIDA, MWA, CCCRN, NCF, GPI, amongst other partners, cultural displays, group photographs, amongst others.

  • APC Needs 21-day Notice To Change Buni, Says INEC, Declines Invitation To Party’s NEC meeting

    APC Needs 21-day Notice To Change Buni, Says INEC, Declines Invitation To Party’s NEC meeting

    Culled from The Nation Newspaper
    By Yusuf Alli, Abuja 

    There seems to be no let up in the crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Yesterday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the party could only remove the National Chairman of Caretaker /Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Governor Mai Mala Buni, and other officers after a 21-day notice to the electoral body.

    INEC said it cannot attend the emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of APC next week because the party was yet to comply with relevant laws and regulations.

    It faulted the party for notifying it of its NEC meeting without the signatures of Buni and the Secretary of CECPC, Sen. John James Akpanudoedohe.

    It asked APC to follow due process if it wanted to effect change of leadership.

    INEC made its position known in a March 9, 2021 letter to APC by the Secretary, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

    The letter was in response to APC’s March 8, 2021 notice to INEC to hold a NEC meeting to ratify the choice of Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello as its new chairman.

    But the electoral agency said the laws do not have provision for emergency change of leadership by any party.

    INEC’s letter reads: “RE: INVITATION TO THE EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (NEC). Please refer to your letter Ref. APC/NHDQ/INEC/019/022/32, dated 8” March 2022.

    “The commission draws your attention to the fact that the notice for the meeting was not signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of the CECPC contrary to the provision of the Article 1.1.3 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Poiitical Party Operations (2018).

    “ Furthermore, the APC is reminded of the provision in Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 which requires “at least 21 days’ notice of any convention, congress, conference, or meeting convened for the purpose of “merger” and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any elective offices.”

    “While hoping these issues are noted for compliance, please accept the assurance of the commission’s warm regards.”

  • CORAfrica Partners CWO To Commemorate International Women’s Day 2022

    CORAfrica Partners CWO To Commemorate International Women’s Day 2022

    By Elijah Ugani

    Children of Rural Africa, (CORAfrica) in partnership with the Catholic Women Organization (CWO of Ogoja Deanery) held a one day public lecture on the theme #BREAKING THE BIAS: Gender Equality Today for Sustainability Tomorrow; as part of its activities to mark the 2022 International Women’s Day.

    The event commenced with a road walk by the women which took off from Mount Carmel Secondary School, Igoli-Ogoja to the Thomas McGettrick Institute of Technology (old TTC).

    At arrival, the event began with series of lectures on the need and importance for women to rise to the challenge of Gender equality so as to break the bias against women.

    Declaring the event open, the Vicar General Administration of Ogoja Diocese, Spiritual Adviser of the Ogoja diocesan CWO and Founder of Children of Rural Africa, Rev Fr Peter Obele Abue PhD, noted that there is an urgent need for women to raise awareness on the need for gender equality for sustainability of the woman and the girl child.

    Fr Abue pledged CORAfrica’s commitment to collaborate with women organizations such as the CWO.

    In his words “There is an urgent need now more than ever to raise awareness on the need for gender equality for sustainability of the woman and the girl child especially in the face of ritual killings of our girls in Ogoja land and maltreatment of women especially widows in households.

    “CORAfrica as an organization is ever more ready to collaborate with women groups like the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) to help in the basic education, healthcare and economic empowerment of children and families to enable them thrive in thier respective locations.”

    He thanked the Deanery President of the CWO in Ogoja deanery Mrs Grace Modey for helping to organize her members towards a successful celebration of the IWD 2022.

    On her part, one of the speakers, Mrs Ann Modey who spoke on the theme, Breaking the bias through Security and Child education, cited Nehemiah’s prophecy and called on the women to rise to the challenge of ensuring that normalcy returns to Ogoja.

    She posited that the walls of Ogoja has been broken. And that it has never been as bad as it is currently. She decried the incessant ritual killings of female children and noted that children are highly in danger.

    Mrs Modey noted that sometimes women inadvertently act as accomplices to their children in cultism and prostitution through their inactions. She however, charged them to be open to their female children and tell them the truth about sex education.

    In another development, Mrs Anna Agba whose lecture was centered on Breaking the bias through Security and Awareness programmes, admonished women to desist from attitudes that lead to child trafficking as it has the tendency of impacting negatively on the overall well-being of the girl child.

    She listed some of the causes of child trafficking to include: Ignorance on the part of parents, poverty, greed, unnecessary competition among women, illiteracy, school dropout among other reasons.

    She cited a scenerio in Ogoja where a woman who lost her husband had used her three bedroom apartment to keep eight teenage girls and used them as sex workers for men. She lamented the situation and called on the police and law enforcement agencies to be alert in the area to abet such situations.

    In his closing remarks, the National Programme Manager of CORAfrica- Nigeria, Mr Attem Udejor expressed his appreciation to all participants and enjoined the CWO, UNCHR and the general public to always work together in support of CORAfrica activities.

    The event featured presentation of certificates of honor to deserving women who have distinguished themselves in different categories.

    The awardees were:
    1. Hon. Rita Ayim for Women participation in Political Activities and Awareness.
    2. Mrs Grace Modey for Women participation in Church Activities.
    3. Mrs Cecilia Ogar for Women activeness in the Civil Service
    4. Mrs Theresa Omara Achong for Women participation in Community Development and finally
    5. Women caring for Refugees and IDPs given to the UNHCR, Ogoja Sub Office, which was received by the Protection officer of UNHCR Mrs Molestsan Mmone.

     

  • A Communique Issued At The International Women’s Day Celebration Organised By Children Of Rural Africa (CORAfrica) In Partnership With The Catholic Women Organization In OGOJA Deanery

    A Communique Issued At The International Women’s Day Celebration Organised By Children Of Rural Africa (CORAfrica) In Partnership With The Catholic Women Organization In OGOJA Deanery

    REBUILDING OUR WALLS:

    A COMMUNIQUE issued at the International Women’s Day Celebration organised by Children of Rural Africa (CORAfrica) in partnership with the CATHOLIC WOMEN ORGANISATION in OGOJA Deanery on this day March 8th 2022.

    Arising from a one day seminar as part of activities to mark the 2022 International Womens Day held here in Thomas McGettrick Institute of Technology, Ogoja (old TTC); after a critical review of recent occurrences in our land, we the members of Children of Rural Africa Organization-Nigeria, in collaboration with the CATHOLIC WOMEN ORGANISATION in Ogoja Deanery wish to make the following resolutions:

    1. We commend the United Nations for the adoption of March 8 as International Women’s Day to promote women’s rights and honor their achievements across the political, economic, social and cultural spheres.
    We commend all agencies and organizations, and individuals that are working tirelessly to promote advocacy of the emancipation of women and we acknowledge and take responsibility for most of our children’s moral decadence and pledge to leave up to our expectations by fostering parental care and discipline on our children.

    2. However, we are highly bothered by the constant influx of the youth from rural villages into the suburban areas in the name of urbanization and we demand that the situation be critically reviewed by our governments, churches and civil societies groups as this trend is now endangering the lives of our youth especially girls.

    3. We condemn in entirety the unprecedented ritual killings of our young girls in Ogoja, the female trafficking of the girl child to far away destinations where they are often used as child labourers and sex workers as this has become rampart especially within locations in Ogoja, culminating in Mbok junction.

    4. Security agencies in Ogoja should rise to the challenge of providing security and fish out perpetrators of evils in Ogoja and ensure justice is served adequately. the Police, the army and other law enforcement agencies should reinforce their duties of ensuring security in strategic places to prevent kidnappers, armed robbers and ritualists. Traditional Leaders should enact bye-laws that will restrict children from getting trapped in these illicit acts.

    5. More efforts should be made to improve the task of vigilante groups especially in rural communities to preserve the lives of all society members especially the weaker members such as women, girls and children. Activities of Motorcycle riders also known as “Okada” should be critically monitored by day and night as most of them have become accomplices in the vice of kidnapping young girls to unknown destinations for ritual killings.

    6. We call on government to revive our educational sector, renovate dilapidated school buildings that have become eye sores, employ teachers and equip libraries and laboratories as well as review curricula to accommodate more of psychomotor advancement. Our institutions of learning have become highly inconducive for learning.

    7. Since most of our children spend their day at school, all hands should be on deck to improve the school curriculum, giving priority to social learning for skills acquisition and economic empowerment opportunities for young people. The Government, Churches and civil society groups should seek to establish and improve vocational centres that provide skills for both youth and women. They should also provide soft loans and if possible grants for graduates.

    8. Parents should inculcate in their children the moral value of contentment as most of those who indulge in promiscuity want to leave above their means through sometimes the greed of their mothers.

    9. Women should rise and participate actively in politics, to break the biases. More Seminars such as this should be organized at local levels regularly to create the needed awareness among women.

    10. We call on all men to join the advocacy to end all forms of violence against women and girls and be ready to support women to realize their full potentials.

    Dated this 8th day of March 2022

    Signed

    Attem Udejor Udey
    National Programmes Coordinator
    CORAfrica-Nigeria

    Grace Modey
    President, CWO
    Ogoja Deanery

  • UNICAL VC Commends Sen Jarigbe Agom Interest In The Development Of UNICAL

    UNICAL VC Commends Sen Jarigbe Agom Interest In The Development Of UNICAL

     

    The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi, has commended the Senator representing Cross River Northern Senatorial District for his interest in the development of his alma mater, the University of Calabar.

    Prof. Obi who made the commendation when she led some officials of the Institution on a courtesy visit to the Parliamentarian, lauded him for what, according to her, he has done and is planning to do for the university.

    The Vice Chancellor further said, as head of the university’s administration, she is doing all within her powers to reposition the Institution, and return it back to her lost glory.

    In his remarks, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe thanked the Vice Chancellor and her entourage for honouring him with the visit.

    Sen. Jarigbe, an alumnus of the University of Calabar, said he has every reason to think about the progress of the University which is his alma mater. The Senator used the opportunity to thank the Vice-Chancellor for all her efforts geared towards rebranding the institution.

    The Distinguished Senator informed his guests that, he has been in touch with the Head, Department of Chemistry, assuring the Vice Chancellor that something positive will come out of the 2022 appropriation that will be of benefit to the Institution.

  • Happy International Women’s Day To Women That Are Doing Their Best To Ensure The Bias Is Broken.

    Happy International Women’s Day To Women That Are Doing Their Best To Ensure The Bias Is Broken.

    Happy International Women’s Day celebration to every woman out there who is doing so much to ensuring the bias is broken.

    Today I join Nigerian women across the states and in diaspora to speak in respect to gender balance and political correctness.

    Over the years women like Margaret Thatcher, Fumilayo Kuti, Margaret Ekpo and a lot of other heroeins played very sensitive roles in leadership and also fought for women emancipation, we must not allow their fight go to ruins.

    Leadership failures or successes are not gender bias, men as well as women have failed and still failing in different sectors, therefore we cannot continue to fenging ignorance, we must seek for capable hands as both gender has its best foot that should have a stake in the corridors of power.
    We must not continue to jettison the role of women in politics, governance and leadership.

    Let’s support women and give them the chance and opportunities to bring to the table of economic development the attributes they’ve applied in home building and sustainability.

    Our country will remain underdeveloped as long as we continue to underrate, undermine, relegate women and juxtapose her capabilities on the altar of Patriarchy.

    We can’t win this war without you our fathers, brothers, sons, husbands, uncles etc. y’all have daughters, mothers, sisters, wives, Aunties.
    Please speak with us and call the Senate to do the right thing.

    Let’s break this jinx and bias together.
    I am Ambassador Odenke Ibiang
    House of Assembly Aspirant 2023

    I Celebrate these women, they impress and inspire me to do more by their work and resilience.

  • Emana Ambrose Amawu Inaugurates Her Campaign Team For The ABC House Of Representatives

    Emana Ambrose Amawu Inaugurates Her Campaign Team For The ABC House Of Representatives

    Odymonkez Blog 

    One of the leading aspirants for the  Akpabuyo, Bakassi and Calabar South  the Federal House of Representatives,  Emana Ambrose Amawu, inaugurated her campaign team at her Calabar residence.

    Speaking on her three points Agenda which represents the 3Rs, Rebirth, Restoration, Reward.

    Accordindly, her Rebirth Mantra is based on bringing new life to existence and Restoring the dignity of the three Local Government Areas under her district.

    Reiterating, she emphasized that the time has come for her people to reap the benefits of their many years of tilling and toiling as she is poised to birth a new era, restore the lost hope and foster a reward system for all their years of hardwork and labour.

    She added that a great deal of women have in the past performed excellently as women are know for great leadership qualities and as such should be given the opportunity for what they have to bring to the table not necessarily because there are women.

    Emana, who noted that leadership failure or success isn’t gender bais, as any gender can fail or succeed at a given task.

    All through her years of service as a media personality, she has carried out her job excellently, which includes but not limited to going to the field for reportage at any hour of the night irrespective of her gender thus arguing that responsibility or irresponsibility isn’t also gender bias.

    Emana, urges and solicites to the good people of Akpabuyo, Bakassi and Calabar South, to give her their entire support ahead of the audacious task as she recognizes the strength of team work.

  • Former President Goodluck Jonathan To Grace UNICAL’s 35th Convocation

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan To Grace UNICAL’s 35th Convocation

     

    The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi, has paid a courtesy call on the immediate past President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR.

    Speaking during the visit, Prof. Obi recalled the roles played by the former president in uplifting the standard of education across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

    She described GEJ as a humble gentleman who places Nigeria above any other personal consideration, referring to him as a unifying factor in Nigeria, Africa, and the world at large.

    The Vice-Chancellor reminded the former President that Nigerians will not forget the epochal call he put across to his successor, President Buhari, which accounted for the relative peace and brotherhood that the nation is enjoying today.

    To this end, the VC said the Governing Council, Senate, and Management have found in him a man worthy in all ramifications for the award of an Honorary Doctorate Degree – (Honoris Causa) of the Institution.

    In his remark, Jonathan expressed appreciation to the Council, Senate, and Management of the University of Calabar for finding him worthy of the honour even after his tenure as president.

    He said that though he had cause to turn down so many similar offers, but because of his love for the institution, he has no option but to graciously accept the offer from the University of Calabar with all amount of humility.

    The Vice-Chancellor was accompanied on the eventful visit by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Angela Oyo-Ita, and the Registrar, Amb. Jammy Egbe.

    Others include two members of the University Governing Council, Hon. Vincent Ogbuagu and Prof. (Mrs) Eno Grace Nta, as well as, the University’s Alumni Relations Officer, Dr Dorn Cklaimz Enamhe.

  • Jarigbe Agom Empowers All PDP Chapter Executives In Obudu, Bekwarra And Obanliku Federal Constituency

    Jarigbe Agom Empowers All PDP Chapter Executives In Obudu, Bekwarra And Obanliku Federal Constituency

     

    The senator Representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has empowered chapter executives of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Obudu, Bekwarra, and Obanliku Federal Constituency.

    The State Deputy Chairman of the party (North), Chief Austin Edibe, while presenting the items urged the beneficiaries to remain steadfast in their services to the party. He said the gesture is one of the ways in which the senator wishes to commend their efforts in supporting the party to grow from the grassroots.

    He further encouraged them to always have the interest of the party while working for the success and progress of the party in the senatorial district and state at large.

    Commenting on the development, Chapter chairmen and members of their cabinet, described the Distinguished Senator as a performer who has always kept his words in delivering the dividends of democracy to the good people of Cross River North, they appreciated the lawmaker and further pledged their unalloyed loyalty and support to ensure that the party moves to an enviable position in their respective local government areas.

  • Mental Health: CRSG To Partner Federal Neuro-Psychiatry Hospital To Strengthen Mental Health Services In The State, As Over 196 PHC Facilities Set To Offer Services

    Mental Health: CRSG To Partner Federal Neuro-Psychiatry Hospital To Strengthen Mental Health Services In The State, As Over 196 PHC Facilities Set To Offer Services

     

    Over 50 million Nigerians are said to be suffering from various degrees of mental health illnesses with only a fraction of about 10% of the affected individuals having full access to medical facilities and care due to complacency of admission into designated facilities.

    With an emerging trend of mental health issues among pregnant and nursing mothers suffering post partum stress , there is need to incorporate mental health regiments as part of services enjoyed by women in Primary Healthcare Centres during antenatal services to avoid complications in the nearest future , not also forgetting the increasing figures of substance abuse by young adults in secondary and tertiary places of learning and other mental health problems such as depression.

    Part of these were the motivation which led a team of medical experts from the Federal Neuro-psychiatric hospital to pay a courtesy visit to the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong in her office to seek ways of creating a timely and lasting solution.

    Led by Dr Edak Okwong of the “Mental Health Prevention and Promotion” unit of the Institution , the body is seeking to collaborate with the Cross River State Government via the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency in raising awareness as well as training health care providers on early detection and basic management of suspected mental health cases and strengthen linkage/referral of cases to secondary facilities.

    They said, with most of the population of victims living in rural areas, access to the Neuro-psychiatric hospital could be demanding and as such, creating a flexible platform for preliminary clinical services before situation detoriates.

    She praised the Director General for her innovative disposition in the upgrade of Primary Healthcare facilities across the state, with staff discipline a worthy and enviable achievements.

    Responding to the team’s visit, Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong thanked the team for the visit, describing the collaboration as timely and audacious in checking the declining mental health situations of Cross Riverians.

    According to her “Mental Health is a huge challenge in the society today and so much awareness needs to be created, especially with the increasing number of young adults who get involved with substance abuse as well as some strange complications such as depression arising from pregnancy and post patum stress in women and slow development in children.

    She said , although the management of these illnesses are beyond the scopes and operations of the Primary Healthcare Centres, early stages of these illnesses could be attended to as well as counseling services provided to clients by health workers who are well trained with desired skills. They’ll also know when and where to refer cases to.

    The DG appealed to them to reactivate the mental health clinic in General hospital Calabar and other secondary facilities in the state to serve as hubs for referral cases from primary health centres.

    She said She’s hopeful that in the nearest future, selected workers who will be trained will cascade the teachings to other staff as the Primary Healthcare Centres is readily available to provide supportive roles to the Neuro-psychiatric Hospital. She committed to ensuring that mental health awareness is integrated into the PHC services.

    At the end of the meeting, both parties agreed to the prioritization of at least one Facility in all 196 wards of Cross River State to manage Mental Health related issues, incorporate Mental Health education and sensitization to the state Social Mobilization Curriculum, Periodic training of Health workers on the innovation and requirements for managing mental Health patients amongst others.

    High points of the meeting was the conferment of the Mental Health Ambassador/Advocate title on the Director General and two of the Directors of the Agency for their Unquantifiable contributions towards mental health education and elimination of related illnesses in the state.

    Present at the meeting and other contributions were made by Mrs Joy Chabo, (Director, Disease Control and Immunization), Mrs Sally Enyim(Director, Community and Family Services ), Mrs Unawu Elizabeth.