Cross River State House of Assembly, under the leadership of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, has reiterated its decision to collaborate with UNICEF and the executive arm of government achieve the development plan set by UNICEF for the state.
Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, while speaking when UNICEF team led by Mr. Olusoji Akinleye and representatives of the state government led by Rev. Joseph Ugbe, former permanent secretary State Planing Commission, paid a courtesy visit to the hallowed chambers in calabar, expressed delight in UNICEF selecting Nigeria among the over 190 countries it operates, and precisely Cross River among other state in the geopolitical region. Ayambem reaffirmed the House of Assembly’s commitment to stronger partnership with the European organization to achieve its five year development plan.
Elvert Ayambem explained further that its only a government without vision that would not want to partner with UNICEF, and that Cross River state government under the leadership of Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, will always prioritize the welfare, growth and development of its people, which UNICEF also stands for.
He assured that the Assembly will always open doors to support UNICEF and other developmental organizations for the growth of the state.
Pst. Joseph Ugbe, past immediate permanent secretary of the State Planning Commission, noted that the state government had been in talks with UNICEF in a bid to actualize the proposed development plan for the state, and UNICEF had agreed to support Cross River state to accomplish the development plan in order to ameliorate the welfare of the people and to move the state forward.
Mr. Olusoji Akinleye, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Enugu Zone, congratulated Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem on his emergence as Speaker of the Cross River Assembly and for the honour done by the Assembly members to receive and support the UNICEF team. He noted that the honour was a mark of responsibility which they won’t take for granted.
Olusoji explained that UNICEF is a leading advocate for vulnerable persons and championing the welfare and wellbeing of children and women in the society. He further said that UNICEF is active in more than 190 countries and Cross River being the only state in the south-south geopolitical region.
The Chief of Field Office added that part of the development plan for Cross River state is to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence, and supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence and exploitation.
