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Tag: #Linda Ayade

  • 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.

  • Women Have A Right To Vote And Be Voted For – Linda Ayade

    By Margaret Asikong —-MOI Office

    Office of the Wife of the Governor.

    The Wife of the Cross River State Governor, Lady Dr. (Mrs.) Linda Ayade has said that women have a right to vote and be voted for in elections, as they can serve on boards and hold the highest offices in the land, as well as contribute in the decision- making process that will ultimately affect the people, families and communities.

    Dr. Ayade stated this recently at the Municipal Dome, Calabar Municipal Headquarters, during a symposium tagged New Voices Symposium, with the theme: “Leadership and Family Values in Women and Youth”, organized by the New Voices of the Lions Club International, District 404 A2.
    In her Keynote address on the topic: “Women in Political Leadership”, Dr. Ayade who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs, Survey. Dr. Gertrude Nanja Nja, said that women in Political leadership is a subject that has gained increasing interest in today’s world where women continue to be marginalized and left out of the political equation.

    According to her, when her husband, Senator Ben Ayade became the Governor of CRS, she initiated two pet projects—The Mediatrix Development Foundation (MDF), with its focus on development and the Cross River Women Emancipation Initiative (CROWEI), in order to achieve political goals including women participation in politics. She disclosed that, MDF has won ongoing partnerships with several UN agencies including; United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Embassy (UN Embassy), Larfarge, First Ladies Against Cancer, amongst other partners. She stated that “with all these partners we are able to carry out various impactful interventions in the areas of health, education and sustainable livelihoods, amongst the less privileges and vulnerable in our society”.

    The Governor’s wife maintained that CROWEI was set up with the strategic objective of fighting for the political emancipation of women both in the urban and rural parts of CRS and has a simple leadership structure that boasts of membership in every ward of the 18 LGAs of the state, thereby making it easy to mobilize women in every community whenever there is a responsibility, as well as an opportunity for them, adding that women are making dramatic gains in electoral politics worldwide with some of them becoming Presidents and Prime Ministers of nations.

    She lamented the situation where Nigeria as a country continues to record low participation of women in both elective and appointive positions after 23 years of uninterrupted democratic governance since 1999 till date, with the average of women’s political participation remaining at 6.7 percent in elective/ appointive positions, while citing an instance where out of 43 ministerial appointments by the Federal Government, only 7 are women and that currently there are only 7 women out of 109 senators and 22 women out of 360 House of Representatives members.

    She said that CRS is changing the status quo by surpassing the recommended 35% affirmative action in both elective and appointive public service positions, with CROWEI being responsible for the emergence of many women as, Commissioners, Council Chairmen, Special Advisers, Director-Generals, Chairmen of Boards, Councilors, amongst others and that if a woman is not the state Governor in 2023, a woman should be the Deputy Governor.
    Dr. Ayade lauded the efforts of Lions Club in carrying out extensive humanitarian services all over the world, focusing on areas that she is interested in and has made contributions in, such as; sight screening, donation of glasses to patients in need, cancer screening and provision of free drugs to patients, empowering the needy and less privileged in the communities, amongst others.

    She expressed thanks to the Lions Club International for the honour done her in recognizing her for an award.
    In her welcome remarks, the District Governor of Lions Club International, Lion Lynda Odu-Okpeseyi used the occasion to welcome all present, especially the wife of the Governor, while commending her for the good works she is doing in the state through her NGOs. According to her, Lions Club is a humanitarian service organization and enumerated some of their achievements in CRS to include; building a diabetic center in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), eye theatre in General Hospital, Calabar, building an E-library in the state library, carrying out free eye screening, screened 5,000 Cross Riverians on diabetes. She said that their focus in year 2022 is on diabetes, while disclosing that they are currently building an ultra-modern diabetic center in Ogoja and appealed to CRS government to support the project which has reached roofing stage and will be commissioned in April.

    Speaking on the topic “Women Empowerment through Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME), the Commissioner for Commerce, Barr, (Mrs.) RoseMary Archibong, said that to be a leader one must have capacity to solve the problems of others both financially and otherwise. According to her, MSME constitute the engine room for economic growth in the society and that they are beneficial to the economy for they create jobs. She admonished women to endeavor to make themselves permanent projects to their husbands and avoid losing their relevance, adding that they should be resilient and not give up on themselves due to the environment, while not neglecting the God factor as He is the multiplier and the one that gives good success.

    Highlights at the event included; presentation of an Award of Excellence to Dr. Ayade for her exceptional leadership and being a role model to the women, decoration of the Governor’s wife and her representative as automatic members of the Lions Club International by the Area Director of Lions Club International, Lion Sam Etuk, group photographs, amongst others.

  • CROWEI/Asuquo Ekpenyong Foundation Provides N50,000 Micro Grants For 1,000 Women In Cross River

     

    No fewer than 1,000 women active in micro and small businesses have received a grant of N50,000 each from a collaborative scheme of the Cross River Women Emancipation Initiative (CROWEI) and Asuquo Ekpenyong Foundation (AEF).

    At the launch of the scheme for 2022 in the commercial city of Ikom, the Wife of Cross River State Governor, Her Excellency, Dr Linda Ayade, who was full of enthusiasm for the training and support of women in business to boost their productivity commended the Asuquo Ekpenyong Foundation for partnering with CROWEI to empower women across the 196 wards of Cross River State.

    She disclosed that “CROWEI will continue to stand firm with women in all their endeavours while calling for more participation of women in leadership/business positions that would grow the local economy”.

    The Founder of the Foundation, Mr Asuquo Ekpenyong disclosed at the event that he was motivated to inaugurate the project designed to support 1,000 micro & small business women across the state by the challenges businesses were going through.

    “A wise man taught me that ‘we don’t give because we have enough, we give because we care enough.’ We must find ways to alleviate the suffering of our people. I am convinced that one of the ways to do this is through supporting our women. As primary caregivers in the home, uplifting women will uplift entire families because they extend those resources across the members of the home.

    “In my experience, people do not want to be given fish. They want to be taught how to fish. They want to be given the tools to improve their lives and the lives of their families.

    “Therefore, it is highly imperative that businesses become more sustainable as well as scalable in order to drive growth in the local economy,” he said.

    “At the height of the lockdown in 2020, CROWEI was very instrumental in alleviating the hardship women faced across Cross River State. During the lockdown, Asuquo Ekpenyong Foundation also supported the State Government with a donation of N25 million in cash and medical supplies to assist in its welfare interventions.

    “Today, we go a step further. The Asuquo Ekpenyong Foundation has trained 1,000 women who are currently engaged in micro & small business on financial management to enable them access loans and grow their businesses. We carefully selected these women who are resident and doing business across the 196 administrative wards of Cross River to ensure that we develop a model case”, he said.

    He noted that at the end of the training programme, the Foundation disbursed N50,000,000 in Micro Grants of N50,000 each to all 1,000 beneficiaries to scale up their working capital.

    He concluded by saying “In all, I am very excited to begin 2022 on this note. Our disbursement partner is Ekondo Microfinance Bank, and it occurred to me that Ekondo is the Efik word for universe. Women make up more than half of our universe. If they don’t prosper, we can’t thrive.”

    One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Nkoyo Okon from Akparabong Ward but married from Calabar, said the grant would help her to expand and meet up with the demands of the season, especially her yam trading business.

    Another young lady Ms Favour Ushie, from Bekwarra, expressed gratitude to CROWEI and the Foundation for the financial assistance at a time like this. According to her, the Coronavirus has been a big setback to businesses, saying the financial aid was what she needed to relaunch her business.

  • CRU2RWI Celebrates Founder, Dr. Linda Ayade

    By Fred Abua

    The Cross River Urban to Rural Women Support Initiative (CRU2RWI) recently paid a courtesy visit on their founder, Dr. Linda Ayade.

    Speaking at the occasion, Dr Linda Ayade thanked the team for coming and for finding her worthy of celebration even when her birthday had passed.

    Speaking earlier, the coordinator of the team, Hon. Agnes Atsu, showered encomiums on the Governor’s wife and founder, Lady Dr. Linda Ayade. The coordinator said that the CRU2RWI mentorship program is the first of its kind and the impact on Cross River Rural women is going to stand the test of time. She also thanked Dr Linda Ayade for the mentorship, guidance, support and encouragement she provides to the team, assuring her that this disposition is fueling the passion the team members to put in their best for the good of their various communities.

    Members of the enlarged Exco of the Cross River Urban To Rural Women initiative (CRU2RWI) which included CROWEI Ambassadors and Chairpersons of Local Government Councils took turns to express their birthday wishes to the Governor’s wife.

    The prayer session was anchored by Pst. Mrs. Rufina Ewah who led the team in thanksgiving to God for His goodness over the life of the governor’s wife, her family the state at large. Prayers were also offered for safety, wisdom, strength and expansion.

    The event ended in merriment with lots of food, laughter and dancing in celebration of the 50th birthday of Dr. Ayade.

    The Cross River Urban to Rural Women Support Initiative (CRU2RWI) recently paid a courtesy visit on their founder, Dr. Linda Ayade.

    Speaking at the occasion, Dr Linda Ayade thanked the team for coming and for finding her worthy of celebration even when her birthday had passed.

    Speaking earlier, the coordinator of the team, Hon. Agnes Atsu, showered encomiums on the Governor’s wife and founder, Lady Dr. Linda Ayade. The coordinator said that the CRU2RWI mentorship program is the first of its kind and the impact on Cross River Rural women is going to stand the test of time. She also thanked Dr Linda Ayade for the mentorship, guidance, support and encouragement she provides to the team, assuring her that this disposition is fueling the passion the team members to put in their best for the good of their various communities.

    Members of the enlarged Exco of the Cross River Urban To Rural Women initiative (CRU2RWI) which included CROWEI Ambassadors and Chairpersons of Local Government Councils took turns to express their birthday wishes to the Governor’s wife.

    The prayer session was anchored by Pst. Mrs. Rufina Ewah who led the team in thanksgiving to God for His goodness over the life of the governor’s wife, her family the state at large. Prayers were also offered for safety, wisdom, strength and expansion.

    The event ended in merriment with lots of food, laughter and dancing in celebration of the 50th birthday of Dr. Ayade.

  • Linda Ayade Flags Off Campaign Against Poliomyelitis, As Cross River Set To Vaccinate Over 900,000 Children Against Poliomyelitis

     

    Five years after the deadly strains of Wild Poliomyelitis virus was discovered in Northern Nigeria, government and health partners have seek to put an end to the transmission of the virus across states and nation’s through the introduction of high impact interventions with the latest being the “Outbreak Response Campaign”.

    Flagging off the second round of the Poliomyelitis Outbreak Response Campaign” in Calabar, the Cross River State Capital, wife of the State Governor, Dr Linda Ayade reteriated government’s commitment to eradicating vaccine preventable diseases with emphasis on maternal and child Mortality reduction.

    Dr Ayade said, though the state remains Poliomyelitis free , over 900,000 children will benefit from the exercise which is expected to last for a week in all 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

    She said, though suspected cases have been recorded in some neighboring states around Cross River, none have been traced to the state , more reason why the government through the
    Primary Healthcare Development Agency is expanding it’s approach to cover all under 5 children.

    “If we don’t take proactive actions, we would have an unfortunate situation in the state that is why we have gathered here today in response to Poliomyelitis Vaccination .We have heard that our neighboring states have encountered this outbreak, but we are always fortunate hence we need to step up and get all children vaccinated”.

    She noted that the best approach to such diseases are effective preparations which includes preventative approaches like vaccination , and most interestingly, the most dependable method in the state. She also encouraged Cross Riverians to take advantage of the ongoing Covid-19 Vaccination, while applauding the DG, CRSPHCDA, Dr Janet Ekpenyong for the wide coverage the state has registered so far in that regards.

    Speaking earlier, Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong said, in the last two years, More children have been inoculated against vaccine preventable diseases which in turn has drastically reduced the rate of maternal and child mortality in the state, all thanks to the support and commitment of His Excellency, the Governor of Cross River State Sen Prof Ben Ayade and his dear wife, Dr Linda Ayade, who have invested resources in the health sector and also implemented health policies that have strengthened the health system.

    According to Ekpenyong, it’s time for all parents and caregivers to make their children and wards available for vaccination as provision is already made for this high packed intervention to cover over 900,000 children with corresponding number of health workers sent to the field.

    “We are targeting about 900, 000 children in Cross River and with the response we have gotten so far, I am sure we will exceed the target, health workers are in the field already, teams were formed and many of them will be sent to schools, markets, churches and other places of public interest while our fixed points in the facilities will also be”.

    She said “we have decided to implement this high-impact intervention which we hope can reach out to our children within the ages of 0-59 months at no cost bearing in mind the effectiveness of this vaccine ”

    She called on all health workers to cooperate with the government in ensuring that everyone targeted is reached within the designated days .

    In a goodwill message presented by the Director of Public Health Dr Iwara who represented the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu urged community members to help ensure that the state get rid of Poliomyelitis at all cost as the Ministry is committed to prevent and Eradicate all kinds of diseases from the state.

    The Chairman House Committee on health, Dr Ekpo Ekpo Bassey also reiterated the commitment of the house of Assembly to enact laws that will promote the wellbeing of children in the state.

    The Wife of the speaker of the house of Assembly, Mrs Imaobong Williams, The traditional leader Ntoe Orok Okon, the Secretary of the board, Barr Dan Effiom, representative of the World Health Organization, UNICEF, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Rotary Club International, AFFENET, MWAN and others commended the government for it’s swift responses in tackling infectious diseases as evidenced in the excellent job done by the DG, CRSPHCDA and her team, as they pledged to continually support such responses.

    Highlight of the event was the vaccination of the children against Poliomyelitis and Covid-19 Vaccination by Her Excellency Dr Linda Ayade. And the pledge from the mothers and caregivers to ensure their children are vaccinated against poliomyelitis.

  • Cross River Stakeholders Holds Town Hall Meeting, Issues Communique To End Cervical Cancer

    By Elijah Ugani

    As part of the one-year anniversary of the launch of the Global Strategy on the Elimination of Cervical Cancer, First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC) is organized Town Hall Meetings in their various states to secure the buy-in, consent and readiness of stakeholders for piloting a vaccination programme for girls between the ages of 9 – 14.

    In Cross River State, Her Excellency, Dr. Linda Ayade held a Town Hall Meeting on the 29th November, 2021 at Holy Child Secondary School, Diamond Hill, Calabar with stakeholders drawn from the State Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency. Others were Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA), Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), pharmaceutical companies and other big organizations interested in carrying out Corporate Social Responsibility, traditional rulers, parents and young girls within the target age group.

    After the 3-hour Town Hall Meeting which held at the Holy Child Secondary School, Calabar, the following resolutions were reached:

    To sustain community focused efforts in improving awareness of HPV and cervical cancer in Cross River State.

    To contribute to the improvement of access to cervical cancer prevention services in the state including vaccination and referrals.

    To expand coverage and support existing interventions to reach more women and girls.

    To provide support for legal issues in women’s health including gender-based violence.

    To support community engagement activities and encourage women participation in cervical cancer prevention intervention.

    Increasing cancer awareness activities in the Mediatrix school-based clubs.

    To become active advocates against cervical cancer and HPV.

  • Full Text Address By Linda Ayade To Mark First Anniversary Launch Of The Global Strategy For The Elimination Of Cervical Cancer

    AN ADDRESS MADE BY THE WIFE OF THE GOVERNOR OF CROSS RIVER STATE AND FOUNDER OF MEDIATRIX DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, DR. LINDA AYADE, ON THE 29TH OF NOVEMBER, 2021, DURING THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE LAUNCH OF THE GLOBAL STRATEGY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF CERVICAL CANCER.

    One year ago, the Commissioner for Health and the Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency joined the Mediatrix Development Foundation team to celebrate the launch of the Global Strategy to Eliminate Cervical Cancer that was adopted and launched by the World Health Organization on the 17th of November 2020.

    The strategy, coded 90-70-90, implies that with this global strategy, the world must work to ensure 90% of girls are fully vaccinated with HPV vaccine by age 15 years; 70% of women get screened with high performance test by 35 years of age and again by 45 years of age; and 90% of women identified with cervical disease receive treatment.

    Available data shows that 19 out of 20 countries with highest burden of cervical cancer are in Africa. Therefore, implementing the global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer is of utmost importance as the burden of cervical cancer in Nigeria is one of the highest in the world. Every day, 41 women residing in Nigeria are diagnosed of cervical cancer most of which occurs at the late stage while another 29 women die each day as a result of cervical cancer complications. It is the second most frequent cancer among women between 15 – 44 years of age.

    About 3.5% of women in Nigeria are estimated to harbour cervical Human Papilloma Virus-16/18 infection at a given time, and 66.9% of invasive cervical cancers are attributed to the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) 16 or 18. Therefore the vaccination of girls against HPV remains the single most effective approach to eliminating cervical cancer as public health issue.

    Unfortunately, due to a global shortage of the HPV vaccine causing lack of access for us in Nigeria, we must take a closer look at our progress in the effort to eliminate cervical cancer and make new commitments while re-strategizing to ensure better access to HPV vaccine, sustainable screening programmes and adequate treatment measures.

    Through my NGO, the Mediatrix Development Foundation, I will continue to work with the Cross River Ministry of Health, Primary Health Care Development Agency and other critical stakeholders who are engaged in the fight to end the menace of Cancer in Cross River State.

    I will like to thank my dear sisters, First Ladies Against Cancer, FLAC. This is our team of First Ladies of both serving and past State Governors who are waging a commendable war on all types of cancer in Nigeria. It is our earnest desire to see cervical cancer becoming part of the national discourse among policy makers and receiving appropriate funding. Only when our national programming includes cancer care will we agree that cervical cancer has received the attention it deserves.

    We must all continue to spread the message about HPV Vaccination for every girl and woman. Let us unite with survivors, advocates, communities and partners to mark 1 year of the global effort. Join, be inspired, and #glowteal to eliminate #cervical cancer in your community and beyond.

    Today, we have invited you all in order to secure your buy-in, consent and readiness for piloting a vaccination programme in Holy Child Secondary School for girls of 9 – 14 years of age. Following your consent, we will carry out a pilot phase of vaccination for some of the girls in the next few weeks.

    Dr. Linda Ayade,
    First Lady, CRS
    28th November, 2021

  • Text Of Address By Linda Ayade During The First Anniversary of Global Strategy For The Elimination Of Cervical Cancer

    A PRESS STATEMENT BY THE WIFE OF THE GOVERNOR OF CROSS RIVER STATE AND FOUNDER OF MEDIATRIX DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, DR. LINDA AYADE, ON THE 17TH OF NOVEMBER, 2021, BEING THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE GLOBAL STRATEGY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF CERVICAL CANCER.

    One year ago, the Commissioner for Health and the Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency joined the Mediatrix Development Foundation team to celebrate the launch of the Global Strategy to Eliminate Cervical Cancer that was adopted and launched by the World Health Organization on the 17th of November 2020.

    The strategy, coded 90-70-90, implies that with this global strategy, the world must work to ensure 90% of girls are fully vaccinated with HPV vaccine by age 15 years; 70% of women get screened with high performance test by 35 years of age and again by 45 years of age; and 90% of women identified with cervical disease receive treatment.

    Available data shows that 19 out of 20 countries with highest burden of cervical cancer are in Africa. Therefore, implementing the global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer is of utmost importance as the burden of cervical cancer in Nigeria is one of the highest in the world. Every day, 41 women residing in Nigeria are diagnosed of cervical cancer most of which occurs at the late stage while another 29 women die each day as a result of cervical cancer complications. It is the second most frequent cancer among women between 15 – 44 years of age.

    About 3.5% of women in Nigeria are estimated to harbour cervical Human Papilloma Virus-16/18 infection at a given time, and 66.9% of invasive cervical cancers are attributed to the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) 16 or 18. Therefore the vaccination of girls against HPV remains the single most effective approach to eliminating cervical cancer as public health issue.

    Unfortunately, due to a global shortage of the HPV vaccine causing lack of access for us in Nigeria, we must take a closer look at our progress in the effort to eliminate cervical cancer and make new commitments while re-strategizing to ensure better access to HPV vaccine, sustainable screening programmes and adequate treatment measures.

    Through my NGO, the Mediatrix Development Foundation, I will continue to work with the Cross River Ministry of Health, Primary Health Care Development Agency, First Ladies Against Cancer, Pink Africa and other critical stakeholders who are engaged in the fight to end the menace of Cancer in Cross River State. We must all continue to spread the message about HPV Vaccination for every girl and woman.

    Let us unite with survivors, advocates, communities and partners to mark 1 year of the global effort. Join, be inspired, and #glowteal to eliminate #cervical cancer in your community and beyond.

    Dr. Linda Ayade,
    First Lady, CRS
    17th November, 2021

  • Dr Linda Ayade Celebrates The Girl-Child To Mark The International Day Of The Girl-Child 2021

    11th of October has been observed worldwide as the International Day of the Girl-Child since 2012 following a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly in December, 2011.

    The wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Her Excellency, Dr. Linda Ayade, yesterday celebrated this year’s International Day of the Girl-Child at Government Girls’ Secondary School, Big Qua Town, Calabar with her NGO, the Mediatrix Development Foundation (MDF), a celebration that calls attention to the need to address the challenges faced by girls and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.

    This year’s theme “Digital Generation, Our Generation” is meant to draw attention to the gender digital divide in connectivity that exist in this digital age, and to encourage more girls to take a step into the constantly growing world of technology.

    Speaking while addressing the girls at the event, Dr Linda Ayade, said the girl-child is very important that is why the united nation has set aside a whole day every year to celebrate her, and because of the how important the girl-child is to her, that is why her foundation, the Mediatrix Development Foundation (MDF) in conjunction with the Office of Wife of Governor (OWOG) was at Government Secondary School, Big Qua Town to celebrate the girl-child in Cross River State, just to express the love they have for the girl child and as future women. She charged the girls to come up with positive resolutions that will help them grow into great leaders of tomorrow as they are the digital generation that the theme of this year’s celebration is talking about.

    Dr. Ayade said the presentations that were earlier given by the resource persons were to help the girls was to throw light and help guide them to become that important digital girl of tomorrow, nothing less. She discouraged them from joining cults as this constitutes a big distraction that will hinder them from achieving their purpose in life. She said they should drop everything that will hinder them from achieving their purpose in life.

    She encouraged the girls to be free to reach out to her through her MDF in case of any distress they may be passing through, and their problems will be handled with confidentiality. She thanked the students, principal and staff of the school for making it possible for them to be there.

    Earlier in her opening remarks, the principal of the school, Mrs. Arit Ota Onaga expressed her excitement to be celebrating the international day of the girl-child with Her Excellency, Dr. Linda Ayade and her team.

    Mrs. Onaga said the girl-child is never given opportunity in the African society where we belong even though all children are a gift from God. She said every child is a child, but it is what you put into the child that makes that child what he or she will become, using herself as an example, she said she is a girl-child who has grown to become the Principal of GGSS, Big Qua, stressing that girls can become anything in this life. She thanked Dr. Linda Ayade for choosing her school to celebrate the day, and wished all a happy day.

    While giving his address the Chief Operating Officer of MDF, Mr. Jeff Adamade said the day was for the celebration of the girl-child, and that MDF right from inception have been in schools through their school base interventions, and the activity of the day fell under the same intervention.
    Mr. Adamade said MDF has four (4) thematic areas of interventions, which include health, right and justice, education and volunteering and lastly sustainable livelihood. He said the event of the day cuts across all the four thematic areas of MDF because it affects the girl-child; Adamade said they have been in the length and breadth of Cross River State through their school based interventions.

    In Her Excellency’s entourage were the Special Adviser on Finance and Administration, OWOG, Mrs. Phil Inyang, the Special Adviser on Women Affairs, Central, Surv. (Dr.) Gertrude Nanja Njah, the Special Adviser on Event, Owog, Hon. Torita Odey amongst others.

    Highlight of the event were presentations on overcoming obstacle to career development, menstrual hygiene, welcome song by the students of GGSS, drama presentation, presentation of gift items to students and staff, entertainment amongst others

  • Centre For Clinical Care And Clinical Research Confers Child Rights Ambassador On Linda Ayade

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Center for Clinical Care and Clinical Research (CCCRN), has conferred Child Right Ambassador on the wife of the Cross River State Governor, Dr Linda Ayade, in recognition of her commitment to the welfare and development of children in Cross River State, during the official launch of the Integrated Child Health and Social Services Award (ICHSSA), LOT 1 project, phase 2 cash transfer to 250 project beneficiaries.

    The project is supported by the Cross River State Government and funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief through the U.S. Agency for International Development, implemented by CCCRN, in partnership with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), alongside other local Community-Based Organizations in Cross River state.

    Delivering the keynote address, Dr Linda Ayade thanked CCCRN for the official Launch of the Phase 2 Cash Transfer to 250 beneficiaries worth forty million Naira, and for the opportunity to further dialogue on issues affecting children and how best to provide and sustain the impact on Orphans and Vulnerable Children OVC.

    Ayade maintained that she shares the same plight and commitment through her various projects and initiatives in the state, addressing the needs of children to ensure greater future for them while supporting and advocating for the realization of Sustainable Development Goals, through one of her pet projects, Mediatrix Development Foundation.

    Ayade averred that “I fill fulfilled discussing and sustaining opportunities that will improve the lives of children and other vulnerable population in the state. This can only be achieved, if we work in collaboration with other stakeholders. Let me use this opportunity to call on stakeholders to play their roles, no matter how misunderstood they may be, they should be ready to pay the price, not about just giving money, but to give their time and together they can make a change”

    She acknowledged the commitment of all arms of government, from local government to the state especially the host Ministries, Departments and Agencies that are saddled with the responsibilities of providing partners with strategic direction and coordination in line with the Governor’s agenda.

    She commended the efforts of the American people through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for providing funds and support to the Center for Clinical Care and Clinical Research (CCCRN) to cater for the needs of vulnerable children and their caregivers in Cross River State.

    Ayade stated that “despite the successes recorded, AIDS-related illnesses are still among the leading causes of infant mortality among children living with HIV. Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programmes needs to be given priority attention and coverage, including access to early infant diagnosis after birth and during breastfeeding.

    “As a priority, greater investment and commitment is required from Government and stakeholders to ensure optimum care, dignity, and safety of the vulnerable children and their families. Let me call on partners, the public, private and community sectors to support government in the stride to make lives better for children in Cross River State”

    Speaking earlier, the Chief of Party, Dr. Peter Adekoya welcomed participants to the official launch of the second phase of the Center for Clinical Care and Clinical Research (CCCRN), Integrated Child Health and Social Services Award (ICHSSA1), LOT 1 project cash transfer to 250 beneficiaries from 15 LGAs in Cross River State, and the launch of the OVC case dialogue.

    Adekoya maintained that, the cash transfer initiative was aimed at cushioning the effect of the economic difficulties faced by the beneficiaries household which has been aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic while the OVC cased investment dialogue is to deepen discussion on sustaining the gains of the project in the state.

    He stated that the project’s goal is to ensure that Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) are cared for and protected by their households, communities, local and state governments, to achieve a reduction in their vulnerability to HIV.
    .
    He stated that the the Integrated Child Health and Social Services is a 5-Year Project funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS, through the U.S. Agency for International Development USAID, and is to last from December 19, 2019 to December 18, 2024.

    “The project is been implemented by CCCRN in partnership with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), alongside other local Community-Based Organizations in Cross River states”, he added.

    On their part, the house Committee Chairman on Health of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Dr. Ekpe Ekpo Bassey, and the Commissioner, Ministry of International Development Cooperation, Dr Inyang Asibong, took turns to eulogize USAID for the unwavering support to the state government.

    The event was attended by Local Government Chairmen, led by the Chairman of Yakurr LGC, and those of Calabar South, Odukpani, Biase, Ogoja, and Bakassi LGAs.

    Highlight of the event was the decoration of the wife of the Governor, Dr Linda Ayade, as Child Right Ambassador by the Chief of Party, Dr Peter Adekoya, unveiling of the phase 2 project by Dr Linda Ayade, as well as presentation of success stories and testimonials.