The City Boy Movement has further solidified its presence in Cross River State through a multi-faceted grassroots outreach in Bekwarra Local Government Area. Led by Dr. Martha Agba, the Onyie’iritiem I of Bekwarra, the movement launched a vital Free Hepatitis B Diagnosis and Treatment Programme, blending essential healthcare with social and economic empowerment.
The event, which saw a massive turnout of traditional rulers, youth leaders, and women from all ten wards of the area, showcased a deep alignment between the movement and the local population. Dr. Agba noted that the initiative was designed to bring the Renewed Hope agenda of the federal government directly to the doorstep of underserved rural dwellers, ensuring that quality healthcare is not a luxury reserved for the city.
Education and enterprise also took center stage during the gathering. A significant highlight was the award of a full scholarship to Master Akwaji Boniface Akwaji, a student in SS1, whose educational journey through to his final exams will now be fully funded. Furthermore, several local businesswomen received financial grants to boost their trades, while Dr. Agba used the platform to speak out against gender-based violence and advocate for the protection of minors.
Parallel to the developments in Cross River, Abia State witnessed a major leap in women’s productivity and social protection. The Federal Government, through the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, officially commissioned the Osusu Abaala Women Palm-Oil Collective in Isialangwa North. The ceremony was graced by Governor Alex Otti, the First Lady of Abia State, and representatives from the World Bank and the European Union.
This palm-oil collective is a cornerstone of the Nigeria for Women Programme. The Minister explained that the facility aims to move women from informal, fragmented labor into a coordinated, market-oriented production system. By providing better processing equipment and market linkages, the government intends to dismantle the barriers that have historically limited women’s access to finance and social capital. This project is part of a larger national scale-up targeting five million women across all 36 states.
Governor Alex Otti commended the partnership, noting that his administration remains committed to supporting smallholder female farmers and cooperative-based systems. He emphasized that structured enterprise is the most sustainable way to drive rural prosperity. The Minister urged the beneficiaries to manage the new facility with discipline and transparency to ensure it serves the community for years to come.
In a move to address the darker side of social vulnerability, the delegation also launched a new Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Abia State. The Minister highlighted that while 50 such centers have been established across 24 states as of late 2025, the evolving nature of violence including digital harassment and cyberstalking requires a more sophisticated response. The new center will provide survivors with integrated medical care, legal aid, and psychosocial support in a confidential setting.
These combined efforts in Bekwarra and Abia State reflect an integrated approach to social development. By tackling economic vulnerability through collectives and health challenges through direct intervention, the current leadership is working to ensure that progress is felt at the most personal levels of society.
