By Solomon OKPO
In a bold step towards strengthening child-focused healthcare and social protection systems, the Akwa Ibom State Government has formally endorsed the U.S.-funded THRIVE South Project—a five-year initiative targeted at improving the welfare of children living with HIV and reducing vulnerabilities among uninfected but at-risk youth.
The endorsement came during a high-level courtesy visit by officials of the Center for Clinical Care and Clinical Research Nigeria (CCCRN) to the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning on Wednesday, June 24.
Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Nsikan Linus Nkan, who received the CCCRN delegation, pledged full institutional support for the project. He described the initiative as timely and in alignment with Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, which places a strong emphasis on social inclusion and sustainable development.
“This Ministry will give all necessary assistance to ensure the success of THRIVE South in Akwa Ibom. We owe the vulnerable and less privileged in our society more than just words—we must act with empathy and commitment,” Dr. Nkan stated.
Leading the visiting team, Dr. Faith Lannap, Chief of Party for THRIVE South, outlined the project’s key objectives and stressed the central role of government partnerships in ensuring long-term impact. She revealed that the initiative will work closely with multiple state agencies including the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, the State Action Committee on AIDS (SACA), the Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Scheme.
Dr. Lannap further noted that THRIVE South is built on a sustainability framework that empowers local systems and strengthens inter-agency collaboration to protect the health and rights of vulnerable children across the state.
The THRIVE South Project is funded by the United States Government through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and represents a significant investment in the health infrastructure and social safety nets in southern Nigeria.
