Paradise News

Tag: Cross River State

  • Palliative: We are not satisfied, Cross River pensioners tell govt

    Palliative: We are not satisfied, Cross River pensioners tell govt

    By Christian Njoku

    Pensioners in Cross River under the auspices of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) on Wednesday showed their dissatisfaction with the palliative they were given to share.

    This was disclosed by Mr Godwin Effiong, Chairman of NUP, Calabar Branch in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) in Calabar.

    NAN reports that the Calabar branch of NUP covers five Local Government Areas, (LGAs) in the Southern Senatorial District of the state including Odukpani, Calabar Municipality, Calabar South, Akpabuyo and Bakassi.

    According to Effiong, on record, the union has over 2.5 million members from the five LGAs which he covers because many of their members who retired from LGAs in the central and northern Cross River but reside in Calabar was incorporated into their group.

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    He said, with this huge number that is difficult to organised but for the appointment of coordinators in each LGA, they initially heard that pensioners in the state would receive 800 bags of rice.

    “All of a sudden, it was cut down  because pensioners in the state are of two categories, the state and the LG pensioners.

    “The LG pensioners belongs to a group called Pensioners Association which they carved-out for themselves and we also have NUP for the state retirees; so the palliative was shared between the two groups almost equally.

    “It was grossly insufficient because some people went home with just three cups of rice while others got between five to seven cups because we wanted it to go round to avoid complaints later,” he said.

    He noted that calling a pensioner who resided around 8-miles area of Calabar to come to the NUP office for three to five cups of rice when his or transportation cost to and fro was almost N1,000, was absurd.

    While appreciating the Federal Government for the palliative, he commended Gov. Otu for the additional N10,000 on salaries and pensions in the state for the next six months.

    He however added that he was not satisfied as the quantity of rice given to them was not enough, even though they had to ensure that every member got something.

    (NAN)

  • Your education can hinder fight against GBV, UNFPA warns caseworkers

    By Christian Njoku

    Dr. Hamira Welye, Programme Analyst for the United Nations Population Fund, (UNFPA) has disclosed that education could hinder the fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV) and other harmful practices, if not used well.

    Welye who specifically works on the Spotlight GBV projects made the remark in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Calabar, during a 5-Day Training on Clinical Management of Rape.

    According to him, education is a tool to help communities but going into a community with the mentality of being  better than the people of the community because you are more educated becomes detrimental to your programme.

    “In this sense, I try to advise caseworkers that how we use our education can be harmful to our push to ending GBV, other harmful social practices and promotion of Sexual and Reproductive Health.

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    “When we go into communities with this all-knowing behaviour, it usually antagonizes the community and you begin to find resistance which affects the programme.

    “Basically, our approach should be the ‘Social Educative Approach,’ where we learn from the community and the community learns from us, so that we can build a more effective GBV response in the community,” he said.

    He said under the Spotlight Initiative, they developed their projects by understanding the culture and nuances that made communities behave the way they did and use the technique to find a new solution.

    Hamira said GBV were  social issue which were traditionally inherited practice from centuries ago and were done with the perception that it was protecting the women.

    He maintained that societies today have evolved where some of these protective practices are no more required and are today harmful to the women.

    He advised caseworkers in different communities that the fight against GBV and other harmful practices that prevent sexual and reproductive health was not a sprint but a marathon adding that they should not be in a hurry to see result.

    While asking them to be prepared, he urged them to understand the social life of the community they are trying to change their attitude on issues of GBV and other harmful practices.

    On her part, SC Philomena Modor, Officer in Charge of Gender Unit in Cross River Police Command thanked UNFPA for the training adding that she had learnt many new things which she was going to impact in her colleagues.

    She said initially, she thought she was doing perfectly well in handling cases until she learnt that every case must be survivor and not caseworker centred

    She however noted that the state still faced the challenge of increase in GBV because many survivors refuse to pursue cases to a logical conclusion and get prosecution.

    (NAN)

  • Just In: C’River govt suspends two school principals over illegal collection of levies

    Just In: C’River govt suspends two school principals over illegal collection of levies

    Cross River Commissioner for Education, Dr Stephen Odey has ordered the suspension of two secondary schools principals in Calabar for collecting illegal levies from students, despite state government’s directive waiving tuition in public schools.

    The Commissioner had embarked on an unscheduled visit to the Government Secondary School State Housing Estate Calabar Municipality, and the West African People’s Institute (WAPI) Calabar, following incessant complaints from parents and guardians about the schools’ illegal levies collection.

    He discovered upon his arrival at Government Secondary School, State Housing Calabar, that the the School Principal was found wanting in the collection of illegal and unapproved levies. A parent who was in the school to pay the levies further confirmed by saying how much she paid contrary to the Ministry of Education approval. In further confirmation, the Commissioner went into JSS 3, JSS 1 and SS 2 classes and discovered how much they have been paying as illegal levies.

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    Following the discovery, the Commissioner ordered the suspension of Mr Esang Usang, the Principal of GSS State Housing, pending further investigation into the matter, and the Vice Principal Administration, Mrs Effiom Uduak Orok, was immediately directed to take over as the Acting Principal.

    Similarly, the Principal of the West African People’s Institute (WAPI), Mr  Owoh Effiong was also suspended following the evidence/records of illegal levies he has been collecting which he also admitted. Available records in the school show clearly that the Principal had defaulted. The Vice Principal, Administration, Mrs Emem A. Ijang has been directed to take over as the Acting Principal following an interview conducted on the spot by the Commissioner among the school’s three Vice Principals, pending further investigation by the Ministry of Education.

    The Commissioner further warned other school Principals to stick only to government approved levies to avoid sanctions as he also urged parents not to hesitate to report.

  • Nigeria needs community policing for effective security, socioeconomic development – Security Experts

    Nigeria needs community policing for effective security, socioeconomic development – Security Experts

    By Christian Njoku

    Security Experts at the Sixth Annual Security Converge held in Calabar have asserted that community policing was key to an enhanced security and socioeconomic development in Nigeria.

    The three day converge which was organised by the Institute of Security and Strategic Studies (ISSS) had the theme; Addressing Nigeria’s security challenges: Panacea for Socio Economic Development.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference had in attendance officials of paramilitary organisations, academia, private and public sector including  officials of the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS) Court of Justice.

    In a communique issued at the end of the conference on Saturday and read by r ACP Paddy Ogon retired, the group stated that the conference sought to identify challenges bedeviling the nation’s security and devise strategies for addressing them.

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    Calling for high level vigilance, the security experts noted that community policing was essential to reduce crime and criminalities, especially kidnapping.

    According to them, there is need for a strengthened Joint Task force, Inter – agency security meetings, training and capacity building of personnel to ensure synergy.

    Speaking further, the group said developing a seamless communication network amongst agencies, was expedient for a national security strategy.

    They appealed to the Federal Government  to release all political prisoners in its custody adding that this would ensure and strengthen national integration.

    “Factors  responsible for  separatist agitations in Nigeria includes feelings of marginalisation, faulty 1999 constitution that has not made it possible for the  states to fulfill  their role as component federating units.

    “The nation must also deal with the issue of nepotism, poor leadership, poverty, unemployment, amongst others, while ensuring the provision of basic amenities to the people,” they maintained.

    (NAN)

  • C’River Ministry of Transport reacts, says protest by taxi drivers sponsored to circumvent reforms

    C’River Ministry of Transport reacts, says protest by taxi drivers sponsored to circumvent reforms

     

    By Kelvin Obambon

    The Cross River Ministry of Transport has reacted to the protest staged by some taxi drivers in Calabar the state Capital, saying the protest was sponsored by political elements who are not comfortable with the ongoing reforms in sector.

    Mini bus drivers on Thursday protested against what they described as extortion by officials of the state government for wrong parking.

    The commercial drivers who barricaded parts of the Muritala Mohammed Highway with leaves on their vehicles, alleged that they were being extorted by the officials to the tune of N45,000.

    But addressing some journalists in his office in Calabar Friday, the Commissioner for Transport, Pastor Ekpenyong Ene Cobham, said there is an ongoing drive to sanitize the transport sector in order to bring it at par with global best practices.

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    Cobham said that the ministry was working assiduously to address the issues of illegal roadside loading, touting, multiple ticketing and illegal taskforce that exploit motorists within and outside Calabar. This according to him, did not sit well with people who are profiting from the illegalities, hence have decided to fight back by sponsoring protest.

    While announcing that from 1st January, 2024, all commercial drivers operating in the state would be required to paint their vehicles and obtain security number for easy tracking, the Commissioner disclosed that the Ministry has been carrying along all transport unions in its bid to reform the sector.

    “When I assumed office I met several challenges enough to demoralized any person. Among the myriad of challenges was the paucity of funds. On the road it was a culture of impunity where traffic rules were not obeyed and people packed wherever roads were congested. We had to call the leadership of the Unified Drivers Association for several meetings. We interfaced on the way forward.

    “In those interfaces we had with the drivers associations, I made it clear to them that it can’t be business as usual. We need to partner to be able to reach out to the drivers. I even suggested to them that there’s a need for reorientation. I remember telling that we need to have a meeting with the operators of driving schools because I have discovered that there’s a problem of attitude among the drivers, habitual decadence – alcoholic abuse, drug abuse and all of such vices.

    “However, we agreed that the year was coming to an end and carnival is by the corner and with all the limitations we had, we needed to do something. We worked out a short term, medium and long term programme. I limited my short term programme to the decongestion of the roads. I had to look at my resource base. I would have rely on one of the agencies under me, which is the Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency (TRAMRA), but I discovered frustratingly that the marshals there were a part of the problem. They encourage drivers to park anywhere and pick passengers. I have had two interface with them and I address them.

    “We created two taskforce team. One was Team Alpha for Calabar South and the other was Team Eagle for Municipality, purely to decongest traffic and stop incessant wrong parking. I briefed them on the terms of reference and guided them. Because of their operation I was always on the field. We discovered that there were several challenges on the field.

    “There are persons whom I may like to refer to as part of the relics of the old order, who were at one time or the other part of the past administration or who are habitual touts, and have constituted themselves into illegal taskforce. Like for instance, this morning before I came to work somebody came to my house and said that some people accosted him yesterday evening at UNICAL main gate. Collected his vehicle, looted his pockets and took his vehicle to where he doesn’t know. I asked him to come to the office so we can use our ways and means to locate that vehicle, using the police. We have several of such cases.

    “I have interface with the state security adviser. We are trying to work out ways to begin to arrest them. These people have caused so much damage, giving government a bad name. In one week of the operation of my taskforce, we had the following results: free traffic flow at the Watt market roundabout axis. Free traffic flow along Marian market. But in the cause of contravening the vehicle that committed one traffic offence or the other, I discovered that there’s a nest of evil, and this nest of evil constitute security agents and politically exposed persons.

    “What they do is that they gather 10, 6, 20 buses or taxis as they can and tell you, “I will be covering you. If you have any problem you call me, but you will be paying me between N1,500 or N2,000 weekly.” So whenever such vehicles have any challenge you will see them come out to release the vehicles.

    “We need to restore sanity to the roads and the culture of impunity we have to put it away. And you know that’s not an easy feat. In the course of that I stepped up to the third programme which was the dislodgement of illegal loading bays on the major roads. There were illegal loading bays that existed by NEPA office, another one at 11-11. There were two opposite the stadium and another one by Fidelity Bank. I’ve shut all of them down. These loading bays were supported, operated, protected by politically exposed persons, cult-associated personalities and that didn’t sit well with them. When you are trying to bring change, impunity must fight back.”

  • Edu: Celebrating The Foot Soldier; Poster Girl Of Renewed Hope Agenda @37

    Edu: Celebrating The Foot Soldier; Poster Girl Of Renewed Hope Agenda @37

    By Rasheed Olanrewaju

    In the federal cabinet, she exudes passion, energy,  doggedness, results, dexterity, hard work, goal-oriented, and purposefulness. With these virtues, Dr. Betta Edu, Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation is arguably one of the faces of the Renewed Hope Agenda of her Boss,  President Ahmed Bola Tinubu. She has just clocked 37.

    At 37, Dr. Edu encapsulates Menachem Mendel Schneerson’s postulation about people born as a special breed. Schneerson: “Because time itself is like a spiral, something special happens on your birthday each year; The same energy that God invested in you at birth is present once again.”

    She is not your everyday lady. Dr Edu belongs to a different breed of humans.

    She came to the world with a stamp of distinction, the reason she joined the pantheon at an age when her peers were still scratching the ground.

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    A woman of poise, elegance, and impact, it is safe to say that this youngest Minister in the administration of President Tinubu and the Youngest Minister in the 4th Republic of Nigeria is imbued with brawn and brain. When you hear of beauty and strong character, it’s Dr. Edu that is being talked about.

    Dr Edu’s scintillating odyssey tells a gripping story of a woman destined to achieve great things at a young age.

    She is a fitting personification of who the Yoruba would hail as
    “Lati sekere loti nsebebe”, which roughly translates to one who has shown signs of greatness from infancy.

    Given her quantum leap into the limelight and then spiral attainment at a young age,  it is self-evident that for Dr. Edu, her 37th birthday is more than just a day on the calendar. It symbolizes the joyous celebration of enviable milestones attained, uncommon graces obtained, and blessings bestowed.

    In the words of former American President, John Quincy Adams, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader”.  This X-rays the Edu persona.

    Whether as Director-General, of Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, (CRSPHCDA),  Commissioner for Health, Chairman Forum of Commissioner for Health, National Woman Leader of the APC, or Minister, Dr Edu is an inspiration and role model to young people.

    The diligence and passion she brings to bear in the tasks and jobs assigned to her,  including her current office as Minister speak to her dedication to service delivery and love for her country.

    Dr Edu has demonstrated beyond doubt that when entrusted with positions of responsibility and leadership, young people can after all stand tall.

    In her present position as Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Edu has so far given a good account of herself as an intellectual, a great grassroots mobilizer, orator, an advocate for the downtrodden, and one with deep love for her country.

    At home and abroad, Dr. Edu has at every juncture manifestly justified the trust and confidence Mr.President reposes in her.

    For example, at the Hague, Netherlands where she chaired the EU and representatives of 48 other countries as the head of  Nigeria’s delegation to the just concluded Thematic Meeting of the Rabat Process on Migration, Youth and Development, Dr.Edu’s skillful presentation of Nigeria’s position and her high-level interface with stakeholders on behalf of Nigeria attracted for her effusive praises.

    Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, Dr. Eniola Ajayi had this to say about the Minister: “The government and people of Netherlands have confided in me how proud they were seeing the Minister addressing all issues raised one after the other; they were impressed and they promised to spread the message.

    “The Minister was smart and quick in uptake and able to articulate her position very clearly and firmly.

    “It is really good to see how happy and impressed the government of the Netherlands and its people were.

    “The Minister’s ability to grasp issues and articulate  Nigeria’s Position and explain all the giant strides and  road map of  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to get youths gainfully employed in all parts of the Country was superlative.”

    As part of Nigeria’s delegation to the United Nations General Assembly in September, Dr. Edu secured immense mileage for the country through the series of high-level strategic meetings Mr. President assigned to her to hold with various UN agencies relevant to her Ministry.

    Dr. Edu immerses herself in the task of executing a vital component of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr.President which is reducing humanitarian challenges and eradicating poverty in the country.

    She braves dangers and inconveniences to visit volatile and hard-to-reach areas in parts of the country, including IDP camps in Borno and Niger States, Makoko in Lagos, and the Gidan Dawa area of Zamfara to interact with victims of humanitarian crises and the poor.

    In all the places she has visited, Dr Edu spread the message of hope, mingled and empathized with the vulnerable, and distributed relief items.

    Her message of hope is clear and succinct: “The goal is to get everybody wherever they are out of poverty and humanitarian crises…

    “We will close all gaps to ensure Nigerians are out of poverty… We want to increase the social safety net for Nigerians, to pull millions of Nigerians out of poverty.”

    Dr. Edu registered herself in the consciousness of Nigerians in 2015 when she emerged as one of the youngest aides appointed by the then Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade.

    She was also later to become the youngest Commissioner in the Ayade cabinet. A former student union leader at the University of Calabar where she studied Medicine, Dr Edu is blessed with oratory prowess.

    Before she was appointed Health Commissioner in 2019, Edu was first appointed as Special Adviser and later the Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), and Special Technical Adviser to the Governor on the Cross River State Privatization Council.

    In 2022 when the post of National Woman Leader of the APC was zoned to the South South Zone, Edu became the favourite of the party. Party chieftains who rooted for her described her as young, vibrant, and energetic; an advocate for women, a great grassroots mobilizer, one blessed with oratory skills and sound education.

    She won the competitive election for the top woman party job, a position she held until her nomination and inauguration as Minister in August 2023.

    Apart from her medical degree from the University of Calabar, Dr Edu holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health for Developing Countries from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK, and a Master of Science Public Health in Developing Countries from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK, and Doctor of Public Health from Texila American University.

    A native of, Adadama, Abi local government area, in the central senatorial district of Cross River, this birthday girl’s unwavering commitment to her job, her fatherland, and humanity has attracted the attention of many Nigerians, including the respected Sheu of Borno, His Eminence, Abubakar Ibn Umar Al min El-Kanemi who had this to say about her: “I have been watching you closely since you assumed office and I can see the passion and energy you have exhibited on the new assignment”

    As Dr. Edu celebrates her 37th birthday, join me in celebrating My Boss, one of the finest members of President Tinubu’s Cabinet, A detribalized Nigeria that has no place for Religious, tribal, or ethnic sentiments.

    I cannot but wish her joy and happiness and pray that the smiles and joy she spreads around as a woman who loves God and humanity come back to her hundredfold. As she implements the President’s Agenda, I am 100% convinced that she will achieve success.

    Rasheed  Olanrewaju Zubair(ANIPR) is the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Honourable Minister.

  • Commercial bus drivers protest alleged impoundment of vehicles in Calabar 

    Commercial bus drivers protest alleged impoundment of vehicles in Calabar 

    By Christian Njoku

    Mini bus drivers in Calabar, on Thursday protested alleged extortion by officials of the state government for wrong parking.

    The commercial drivers who barricaded parts of the Muritala Mohammed Highway with leaves on their vehicles alleged that they were being extorted by the official to the tune of N45,000.

    Samuel Ekpo one of the angry drivers who spoke to journalists said they were  pick and drop drivers and not interstate  drivers, adding that enough was enough on extortion.

    “We no longer know particular spots to pick and drop passengers, as commercial transport operators, the state Commissioner for Transport Mr Ekpenyong Cobham and his boys expect us to have a specific place to load and drop passengers, when they haven’t given us places.

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    “When your bus is impounded, they take it to the premises of the state Waterboard and you have to pay about N45,000 to get your vehicle released

    “This is sad because sometimes drivers go home with just N1000 after balancing the owners of the vehicles,” he said.

    Another driver, Bassey Edet said the state government should create car parks and bus-stops for commercial vehicles in the state.

    “We buy daily ticket of between N500 and N700 yet  they chased us away from Watt Market Roundabout, we obeyed and left the roundabout now they are chasing us even on the highway.

    “If you go to Waterboard, you will see over 30 mini buses park because the owners don’t have N45,000 for their buses to be released, how do they want them to survive.

    When contacted, at the time of filling this report, the Commissioner for Transport, Cobham, said he was already having a meeting with the leaders of the Transport Union over the issue.

    (NAN)

  • Gov Otu lauds IRS over remarkable revenue increase

    Gov Otu lauds IRS over remarkable revenue increase

    In a remarkable declaration, Cross River State Governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, commended the Cross River Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for its significant contribution to the state’s revenue growth. The governor revealed that through its renewed revenue drive, the State IRS had elevated the state’s internally generated revenue profile by an impressive 21%. This achievement was recognized during the 2024 Budget Presentation forum, where the governor delivered his speech, emphasizing the people-first approach in the state’s fiscal planning.

    “Presently, the State IRS, through its renewed revenue drive, has increased the state’s internally generated revenue profile by 21%. This is a commendable feat,” said Governor Otu.

    He congratulated Prince Edwin Okon, the Acting Executive Chairman of the Cross River Internal Revenue Service, for the significant achievement and urged the agency to double this percentage in 2024. Governor Otu emphasized the importance of addressing revenue leakages and harnessing revenue-generating opportunities across various government ministries and departments.

    Read Also: Julius Edem: Ministering Through Music, Spreading Hope Worldwide

    The governor’s commendation highlights the State IRS’s dedication to increasing the state’s revenue base and its contribution to the state’s socio-economic development.

    The 2024 Budget, titled “The People First Budget,” places a strong emphasis on infrastructure development, education, health, environment, agriculture, youth and sports development, tourism, and general administration, all aimed at improving the lives of Cross Riverians.

    This commendation comes as Cross River State continues its drive to harness its full revenue potential and maintain a people-centered approach to governance and development.

  • Julius Edem: Ministering Through Music, Spreading Hope Worldwide

    Julius Edem: Ministering Through Music, Spreading Hope Worldwide

    In the ever-evolving world of music, the spotlight is not always on mainstream genres. Gospel music, with its spiritual and uplifting messages, has gained a devoted following over the years.

    In recent times, a new wave of talent has emerged, and among them, Minister Julius Edem is making a significant impact.

    These emerging gospel artist is not only captivating audiences with his soul-stirring melodies and powerful lyrics but has also becoming beacons of hope in an often chaotic world.

    His music transcends boundaries and offers solace to those seeking inspiration and faith.

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    The Minister who is also a member of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries has produced over seven gospel music, ranging from Congratulations, You are God, You Love Me, amongst others.

    His ability to blend contemporary sounds with traditional gospel elements has struck a chord with diverse audiences.

    Edem’s music resonates with themes of hope, love, and spirituality, providing a refreshing perspective on faith in the modern age.

    He is not just creating music; he is building communities of believers and sharing their unique journeys of faith.

    Through social media, live performances, and collaboration with other artists, he is connecting with fans on a deeply personal level.

    As we celebrate these fast-rising gospel artists, we can look forward to a future where his music continues to inspire, uplift, and bring people together in faith and harmony.

  • Amnesty International, CSOs meet in C’River, discuss human rights, SGBV

    Amnesty International, CSOs meet in C’River, discuss human rights, SGBV

    By Kelvin Obambon

    One of the world’s leading human rights organizations, Amnesty International has met with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and representatives of media establishments in Cross River to discuss issues of human rights and Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in the state.

    The briefing and collaboration meeting which took place at the Monty Suite Hotels, Calabar, on Tuesday, also provided Amnesty International the opportunity to build partnerships with CSOs for future engagements.

    The Country Director of Amnesty International, Isa Sanusi, in his speech, said the meeting was to plead for public support because he views them as very important partners.

    He explained that Amnesty International is a research-based organization, adding that through research the organization has been able to gather a lot of evidence and balance that can convince people about Amnesty’s work.

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    According to Sanusi, who was represented by Maurice Chukwu, a researcher at Amnesty International, “The importance of our work in human right education is that we undertake human right education as one of the priorities. In terms of human right education, it is setting out human right clinics across universities, we already have partnership with University of Lagos and other state universities. We also have partnership with Yaba College of Technology which is also in Lagos. We go to this universities time to time to engage the students about human rights and to conduct human right education across campuses.”

    He stated that the University of Calabar was the reason Amnesty International decided to bring human rights to Cross River State, disclosing “we had meeting with the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar to regulate the human right chain in the University.”

    “One of the areas use to build a relationship with the CSOs is in the human right education. We considered human right education as one of the very important components of the work. Amnesty International is dedicated in ensuring that every human being can enjoy this human rights,” he said.

    Speaking further, the Country Director said human rights should be made available in order for people not to take laws into their own hands and stop listening to superstitious beliefs. He clearly stated that taking laws into one’s own hands is not right. He however sought to know the key areas in human rights issues that each civil society organization would like to work on and proffer solutions to.

    He expressed optimism that with research, campaign, advocacy and support from the people, the problems of police brutality, sexual and gender based violence could be effectively tackled.

    The meeting also featured an open forum session for actionable plans moderated by Leader Ben Usang, Head of Cross River State Civil Society Network, and as well as a question and answer session.