CCCRN INTRODUCES THRIVE PROJECT TO STAKEHOLDERS IN C'RIVER.

By: Rekpene Uket.

The Centre for Clinical Care and Clinical Research Nigeria (CCCRN)  has introduced  a new project to stakeholders in Cross River State. The new project tagged Transforming Health and Resilience for Individuals through Vibrant Empowerment (THRIVE) is a five -year co-operative agreement funded by the President 's  Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief through the United States Agency for International Development which runs from December 9,2024 to December,2029.

Introducing the new project to stakeholders in Calabar, the Chief of Party, CCCRN, Dr. Faith Lannap stated that, the THRIVE project is currently implemented by  Centre for Clinical Care and Clinical Research Nigeria (CCCRN) in partnership with Project HOPE, TA- Connect and Heartland Alliance alongside other local resource experts as well as line MDAs  such as; Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social welfare and Community Development, SACA, MIDC, PHCDA, CRSHIA,  ECEWS amongst others  with the state Ministry of Women Affairs as the Co- ordinating ministry.

According to Dr. Lannap, the project aims at improving the health and wellbeing of children living with HIV and reducing HIV-related risk among uninfected children, adolescents, and young people to achieve sustained epidemic control in 5 states and 86 LGAs in southern Nigeria, these include;  Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Edo  and Lagos states.

 The Chief of Party , CCCRN also disclosed that, the project has four service packages --- Healthy,  Safe, Stable and Schooled.

 The Healthy domain offers HIV care and treatment of minor childhood illnesses, mobilization for Immunization, nutrition services as well as Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission ( PMTCT) services.

 The Safe component of the project strengthens child protection and child safeguarding mechanisms, identify and follow -up on cases of Violence Against Children, parental training, influencing policy formulation, interpretation and monitoring.

The Stable domain supports and strengthens food security and agricultural value chain development, nutrition sufficiency, financial literacy as well as capacity building and linkages to SME Programmes.

The Schooled component of the project offers mobilization and support for school enrollment, retention and performance as well as provision of home and extra learning sessions.

Dr. Lannap also commended the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Edema Irom for her personal contributions towards the successes recorded by CCCRN in their previous projects. 

On that note, she welcomed all participants to the first stakeholders engagement for the THRIVE project while looking forward to a more fruitful partnership for the improvement of the health and wellbeing of Orphans and Vulnerable Children ( OVCs)  in Cross River State.

In her opening remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Edema Irom appreciated CCCRN for their efforts towards improving the health and wellbeing of OVCs in in the state through their previous projects adding that, she had to collapse other engagements to ensure her collaboration with the new THRIVE project.

Hon. Irom reiterated the commitment and passion of His Excellency, Gov. Bassey Edet Otu and his dear wife Bishop Dr.  Eyoanwan Otu towards OVCs in the state.

She also noted that "Leaving no child behind is the slogan and priority of the Ministry of Women Affairs, on that note, the Commissioner registered the willingness of her ministry to partner with CCCRN all the way in project THRIVE.

In their separate goodwill messages, the Statistician General of Cross River State, Mr. Jehoshaphat Ogar, a representative of Network of People Living with AIDs in Nigeria (NEPWAN), the State Planning Commission, represented by Mr Kingsley Eyibio, the State Programme Manager,  Excellent Community Education and Welfare Scheme ( ECEWS), Mr. Umana  Joe, as well as the State Co-ordinator, Child Protection Network (CPN), Mr Kebe Ikpi and the State Co-ordinator, Association of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Nigeria ( AONN), Mr. Francis Esuk amongst others  took turns to commend CCCRN for their accurate and timely presentation of data as well as the successes recorded in their previous projects while pledging their willingness and readiness to partner with CCCRN in the new project THRIVE, being hopeful that the new project will further bring more hope and succour to OVCs in the state.

The stakeholders engagement  also featured a pictorial presentation of the overview of the THRIVE project, Stakeholders Role and Expectations as well as an interactive session where participants raised concerns on grey areas  and clarifications were given accordingly.

The Stakeholders engagement was preceded by a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Women Affairs where the Chief of Party, Dr. Faith Lannap presented gift items to the Hon. Commissioner and the Permanent Secretary,  Obol. Dr. Mrs. Rita Eteng.