The partnership was reinforced during a recent advocacy visit by CR-SACA’s Director General, Dr. Charles Iwara, to the NDLEA command, where both agencies reaffirmed their shared responsibility in addressing two closely linked public health challenges—HIV transmission and drug abuse.
Dr. Iwara explained that the engagement is part of broader efforts to strengthen inter-agency coordination in pursuit of global and national targets to end new HIV infections by 2030. He stressed that progress would depend on stronger collaboration in prevention, surveillance, and community-level interventions.
He also emphasised that tackling HIV effectively requires more than isolated interventions, pointing to the need for “strategic planning and evidence-based interventions, particularly for key populations most vulnerable to HIV infection.”
Beyond prevention campaigns, he called for practical cooperation between the two agencies, including improved data sharing, enhanced laboratory support for HIV services, and better alignment of state and national response strategies.
Dr. Iwara used the opportunity to acknowledge the support of the state leadership, commending Governor Bassey Edet Otu and his wife, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu, for what he described as sustained commitment to public health and social development initiatives.
Describing the partnership as a turning point, he said it would help build “a more coordinated and impactful public health response in Cross River,” expressing optimism that the collaboration would extend into long-term, structured programmes.
NDLEA Calls for Rehabilitation Centre and Stronger Community Action
Responding, the State Commander of NDLEA, Commander Anyeyi John, welcomed the engagement, describing it as timely and necessary given the overlapping nature of both agencies’ mandates.
He noted that while CR-SACA focuses on HIV prevention, and NDLEA leads drug enforcement efforts, both are ultimately working toward the same goal—protecting public health and safeguarding communities.
Commander Anyeyi called for deeper collaboration in sensitisation campaigns, training programmes, and regulated data sharing, subject to approval from NDLEA headquarters where required. He also highlighted the agency’s ongoing awareness initiatives across communities in the state.
One of the key proposals he raised was the establishment of a rehabilitation centre in Cross River State to support drug dependence treatment and recovery. He urged CR-SACA to formally escalate the proposal to the state governor and first lady for consideration.
He also acknowledged Dr. Iwara’s advocacy work, recognising him as an Ambassador of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), in appreciation of his continued public health engagement.
Focus on Youth and Community Outreach
Earlier discussions were also shaped by contributions from Mrs. Rose Ikani, who stressed the importance of targeted HIV prevention among adolescents and young people. She called for more coordinated efforts in data-driven programming and youth-focused interventions.
Mrs. Ikani highlighted the importance of using schools and cultural platforms—such as the Leboku New Yam Festival—as channels for HIV awareness, testing, and prevention messaging. According to her, these community spaces provide critical opportunities to reach young people in culturally relevant ways.
She further urged stronger NDLEA participation in youth engagement programmes, particularly to educate adolescents on the dangers of drug use, including injection-related risks and the growing concern around shared syringes.
A Shared Path Forward
Both agencies ultimately agreed that sustained collaboration would be central to improving health outcomes across Cross River State. Their consensus centred on joint awareness campaigns, coordinated training, expanded outreach, and strengthened support for vulnerable groups.
The partnership reflects a growing recognition that HIV prevention and drug abuse control are deeply interconnected challenges—requiring not only enforcement and medical response, but also education, community trust, and sustained institutional cooperation.