By: Grace USHORNYE.
The Cross River State government has described the interventionist efforts by the United Nations (UN) accelerated developments in the state as ‘wonderful’.
The commendation was made by the state Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, Dr Inyang Asibong during the opening session of the 2022 AWR annual review meeting with the UN agencies in Calabar.
Nine UN bodies; UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNDP, FAO, UNHCR, UN Women operate in the state as intervention organs in the areas of health, education, gender based violence, water and sanitation as well as women and youth emancipation.
Delivering her remarks at the 2022 AWR annual review on Friday in Calabar, Dr Asibong said:
“The state government wishes to appreciate UNFPA, the lead agency coordinating the UN bodies in the state. You all have been wonderful in your collaborative programs in Cross River.
“Through these synergies so much progress has been achieved in the area of reproductive health and population dynamics, gender based violence and other supports regarding coordination.
“We also sincerely thank other UN bodies such as WHO, UNWOMEN, UNICEF, UNIDO, FAO, UNESCO, UNDP and UNHCR for all their interventions. The Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade sends his heartwarming appreciation to UNFPA and all the UN organs for the partnerships.
“This meeting is special because it is coming at the end of the 8th country program. We are looking at planning for the 9th program cycle which covers between 2023 to 2027”, Asibong stated.
