Nigeria - Cross River State described as model for foreign donors

Description:

The Cross River State Governor, Senator, Liyel Imoke, has described the State as the best model for International Agencies to showcase the United Nations Model Programmes.

Senator Imoke, who spoke through the Deputy Governor, Barr. Efiok Cobham, during a dinner organized in honour of the visiting United Nations Country Team at the Government House Calabar, Cross River State, commended the team for their choice of Cross River State as the venue of their meeting.

He disclosed that UNICEF benefits have been of great value to the State and called for more partnership and support from the international donors to enable the State  carry out various strategic initiatives that would profit its people.

While decorating the UNICEF Representative to Nigeria, Dr. Suomi Sakai, as an honorary Ambassador of Cross River State, the wife of the Governor Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke, charged her to always promote Cross River State as her favorite State where ever she goes.

She also thanked the New Resident Coordinator of United System in Nigeria Dr. Daouda Toure for leading the team to Cross River State and for donating generously to her Destiny’s Child Center Programme ( a home for vulnerable, homeless and deprived children).

She used the occasion to extend an invitation to the team for this year’s Christmas Carnival in order to enable them enjoy more of the hospitality that  the State is noted for.

On his part, the Secretary to the State Government Barr. Fidelis Ugbo commended UNICEF for being most outstanding in the State.

Barr. Ugbo pointed out that UNICEF health care and agriculture related issues were highly commendable and called for more robust relationship as the State, according to him is donor friendly and has the capacity and ability to attract what donors  would be interested in.

Responding the new Resident Coordinator of the UN System in Nigeria, Dr.  Daouda Toure, said that he was delighted at the model the State has developed for itself towards the advancement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of United Nations and promised to continue to partner with the State to achieve its developmental plans.

The Special Adviser on International Donor, Mr. Roy  Ndoma Egba,  presented a slide lecture on the aspirations and developmental strategies of Cross River State.

High point of the occasion was cultural display and presentation of memorabilia by the Wife of the Governor to the visiting team .