CCCRN Launches Strategic Plan for Vulnerable Children in Yenagoa
The Centre for Clinical Care and Clinical Research Nigeria, CCCRN in partnership with the Ministry of Women, Children Affairs Empowerment and Social Development, the Ministry of Health and the State Agency for the Control of AIDS has closed out the Integrated Child Health and Social Service Award Project, ICHSSA 1 and launched the Bayelsa State Strategic Plan for Vulnerable Children Programming for 2025 to 2030.
The ICHSSA project was aimed at providing protection and support for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, OVC in households and communities to achieve a reduction in their vulnerability to HIV.
Speaking during the event, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpor noted that the state government in collaboration with other stakeholders in the local government areas would ensure that the project is sustainable for continuos support to vulnerable children in order to improve their welfare.
“We are trying to do all possible to ensure that our orphans and vulnerable children have a better life in Bayelsa, OVC has a wide spectrum, not just for HIV, but we must look at it holistically from those suffering abuse from parents, foster parents, they all have the rights to be protected, they also need our support”
He commended the CCCRN team and other relevant stakeholders for their collective efforts and achievements of the ICHSSA project in the state.
Also speaking, Wife of the Governor, Dr Gloria Diri urged all stakeholders to support the fight against Gender Based Violence, GBV in the state by assisting the Gender Response Initiative Team, GRIT to expose offenders adding that they would face the full wrath of the law to serve as a deterrent to others.
She appreciated the CCCRN for the work done in the state as well as all those who have adopted vulnerable children in their custody and given them a new phase of life.
Commissioner for Women, Children Affairs Empowerment and Social Development, Mrs Elizabeth Bidei in her welcome address stated that the overall goal of the state government in programming for vulnerable children is to build the resilience of families caught in the poverty web.
Mrs Bidei gave assurance that the government is ready to partner with the implementing partners to reduce the suffering of vulnerable households in the state.
Commissioner for Health, Professor Seiyefa Brisibe pledged his support for CCCRN while commending them for contributing to improving the health needs of the people in the state.
On his part, Chief of Party, ICHSSA 1 project, Dr Peter Adekoya who highlighted the success stories of the project pointed out that there has been an improvement of food security, economic empowerment and educational support for vulnerable households that would enable children to attain their full potentials.
CCCRN, Bayelsa State Team Lead, Mr Moses Olleh who gave an overview of the OVC Program in the state expressed gratitude to the state government, ministries, agencies and other stakeholders who worked with them to achieve their goals.
Executive Director, Women Organized for Mentorship and Advocacy Network, WOMAN, Lady Eunice Nnachi expressed appreciation to CCCRN for the successful completion of the ICHSSA 1 project saying their work has increased the capacity of families to care for their children.
Highpoint of the event was cutting of the ICHSSA 1 project cake signifying the beginning of a new journey as well as the presentation of awards to the Deputy Governor, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Commissioners of Health and Women Children Affairs Empowerment and Social Development including Certificate of Recognition to various outstanding personalities in the state.
