The Cross River State Ministry of Information has inaugurated 26 Social Mobilization Technical Committee (SOMTEC), members to spearhead advocacy for health, rights of children and pregnant women in rural communities in the state.
The 26 were inaugurated at the Ministry of Information Conference Hall Calabar, by the Permanent Secretary Offiong Ani Offiong, who in her charge said the initiative is targeted at the welfare of vulnerable communities, children and pregnant women.
“Today, I am pleased to announce that UNICEF, in their wisdom, has entrusted us with the responsibility once again to implement this vital program. I want to reiterate that our work is about people, real lives impacted by our interventions, and the legacy we leave behind. Let us embrace this opportunity, champion social behavior changes, and, together, build a future where every mother and child thrives.”
She added that the SOMTEC initiative is targeted at educating, engaging, and empowering communities in areas such as anti natal care, birth registration, immunization, exclusive feeding, complementary feeding, family planning, child right protection, woman right protection, water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Responding, the State Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA) John Asanye assured that the team will work collectively together to ensure that they put their differences aside to make sure that those that doesn’t have the life deserved are reached and impacted in the state.
The initiative which is supported by United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has its members drawn from different professional backgrounds including; health, academy and media.
Kelvin Ololo, Cross River Watch
