By Ofem John Obongha, JKNewsMedia Intern
UNIFIED CALLS for stronger grassroots protection have emerged across Cross River State as community leaders rally against gender-based violence and the rising tide of teenage pregnancy.
Royal fathers and traditional rulers are demanding coordinated responses from government agencies, civil society organisations, and local residents, particularly in rural areas where these issues persist with alarming frequency.
The renewed mobilisation followed a stakeholder forum held Tuesday in Calabar.
Organised by the State Ministry of Women Affairs in partnership with UN Women and supported by the Ford Foundation, the workshop convened leaders from three local government areas to strengthen local commitment to safeguarding women and girls.
At Creek Town Community, Secretary of the Creek Town Traditional Rulers Council and retired Deputy Superintendent of Police, Amb. Effefiong Eyo, urged traditional institutions to shift from passive observance to active defence of the vulnerable.
He warned that without direct community engagement; existing legal protections would remain ineffective.
“Traditional leaders must move from being passive to active defenders of the vulnerable in their communities,” Eyo stated.
He criticised the complete absence of security infrastructure in Creek Town, citing it as a key driver of cult activity and an increase in teenage pregnancies.
Criminal elements, he said, have exploited the vacuum left by a non-functional police presence.
“Our biggest setback is the lack of functional security outfits.
These criminals exploit that vacuum, leading to rising cases of teenage pregnancy and cult activities,” he explained.
Eyo appealed to the Cross River State Government and Nigeria Police Force to restore operations at the Creek Town Divisional Police Station and ensure it is adequately manned.
He also emphasised the importance of enforcing laws that protect women and girls while expanding youth-focused health services and livelihood programmes across rural communities.
Participants at the forum pledged to enhance community education around gender rights, legal frameworks, and social accountability, asserting that cultural leadership must now become a frontline force in the campaign for safety and justice.
