28/02/2025
Report on Courtesy Visit to the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edo State
On February 26, 2025, Grace Ese Obakina, Executive Director of Caring Heart Initiative (CHIADE), paid a courtesy visit to the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edo State. This visit provided a valuable opportunity to congratulate her on her appointment and to share the impactful work CHIADE has been doing over the years.
During the discussion, CHIADE reaffirmed its commitment to health, mental well-being, and sustainable livelihoods for women, young people, and children. The team passionately highlighted key SGBV hotspots and challenges in Edo State, emphasizing the urgent need for collaborative interventions. Areas of potential partnership with the Office of the First Lady were also discussed, with a focus on strengthening support systems for vulnerable groups.
A significant aspect of the visit was the formal introduction of the Nigeria CSO-CBO Coalition on Antimicrobial Resistance (NCCAR)—a network of community-based advocates trained by Management Sciences for Health (MSH) on the dangers of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). CHIADE underscored the growing threat of AMR, describing it as a silent pandemic that requires immediate awareness, sensitization, and grassroots advocacy to prevent a full-blown crisis.
The Vice President of NCCAR assured the First Lady’s office that the coalition’s President and MSH experts would provide comprehensive resource materials to enhance her understanding of AMR and equip her for active engagement in the advocacy.
In response, the First Lady commended CHIADE for its dedication and pledged her support. She expressed a keen interest in leveraging the upcoming International Women’s Day as a platform to sensitize Edo residents on AMR prevention and best practices. She also welcomed future collaborations, reaffirming that her doors remain open to initiatives that promote public health and social well-being.
Grace Ese Obakina extends her sincere appreciation to the First Lady for her hospitality, openness, and willingness to collaborate on critical issues affecting Edo State. CHIADE looks forward to a productive partnership in advancing the well-being of women, children, and communities at large.
