Humanity Without Borders Empowerment Initiative (HUWIB), an initiative of Reverend Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, in partnership with UNICEF, has successfully concluded series of TownHall Meetings for the 1st Round of Optimized Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week in the state.
The event, which held simultaneously in Calabar Municipality, Yala, Odukpani, and Akpabuyo, aims to alleviate social inequalities through life-saving interventions for mothers and children.
Delivering a keynote address on Friday in Calabar, the Wife of the Governor said: “Today marks another milestone as we bring to every door post and family, various interventions geared towards significant improvement in the current nutritional indices in our State. The goal is to enhance lives by alleviating the burden of social inequalities through life saving humanitarian interventions.
Her Excellency emphasized the importance of improving the health and nutrition of mothers, newborns and children aged 0-5 years. The interventions include Vitamin A supplementation, deworming medications, iron/folic acid supplementation, routine immunization, malnutrition screening, family planning services, HIV counseling, and testing, skilled birth attendance, and birth registration.
According to Her Excellency, the session seeks to underscore the crucial role of breastfeeding and proper nutrition in the health and well-being of infants, children and women in the state, while also expressing gratitude to partners for their unwavering support.
“May I especially appreciate UNICEF and other partners for their continuing support to Cross River State over the years and their brand new partnership with HUWIB”, Mrs Otu said.
Speaking on behalf of HUWIB, Dr. Inyang Asibong, Special Adviser to the Governor on Gender Mainstreaming, encouraged families to prioritize optimal nutrition by adopting exclusive breastfeeding and recommended feeding practices. She appealed to families in the State to join forces with Her Excellency in promoting healthy feeding habits, stressing the significance of proper dietary procedures.
The interactive session included distribution of essential kits and discussions on proper nutrition and breastfeeding practices in Cross River State.
The Calabar Municipality event was privileged to host esteemed guests, including:
– Hon. Stanley Nsemo, Member representing Calabar Municipality in the CRSHOA.
– Hon. Felix Idem, Commissioner for LGAs.
– Dr. Egbe Ayuk, Commissioner for Health.
– Dr Abigail Duke, Commissuoner for Commerce.
– Paramount Ruler of Akpabuyo, HRH Etinnyin Francis Effiom Edem
– Dr. Vivien Otu, DG CRSPHCDA.
– Hon. Nta Eke, DG of the CRS Infrastructure Agency,
– Elder Comrade Iso Bassey Edim, National Chairman, Coalition of Civil Society Groups
– Representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Development Partners and other interested stakeholders.
