By Our Correspondent
Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, has been presented with an award by UNICEF in recognition of the state’s fruitful partnership in promoting the rights of children and women.
UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Jean Gough, who presented the award to Imoke said that tremendous impact has been recorded in Cross River between 2007 and 2015, when Imoke assumed office as the governor of the state.
According to Gough who was represented by a staff of the office: “The governor’s effort and contributions have resulted in a lot of successes which is an indication of his commitment to the strong partnership that exits between the state and the agency. It has been eight years of fruitful partnership due to the type of leadership style we met in the state whose result in the health sector has been quite exemplary.”
“The state has acknowledged issues concerning the welfare of women and children as well as put in place a law protecting the rights of the child and Cross River is a leading state and we intend to showcase the impact made in the state in Dakar.” She said, adding that a donor friendly environment has been created in the state.
Responding, Governor Liyel Imoke expressed gratitude to UNICEF for partnering the state in achieving its MDGs and touching the lives of citizenry as well as reaching those who do not have access to government, explaining that,
“Our partnership with UNICEF has enabled us as government to reach children and mothers in remote communities because of our philosophy that Cross River State is as rich as the weakest person and not the beauty of Calabar or the festival but the emphasis on those that need government most.”
The governor disclosed that UNICEF understood the position of the state and both have collectively affected the lives of the people and promised that he would convey the achievements recovered from the partnership to the incoming administration as well as encourage it to continue the numerous projects which have been put in place.