Girls' Power Initiative - Calabar Center

05/08/2026

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01/08/2026

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30/07/2026

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08/07/2026

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02/07/2026

As part of the graduation requirements for the three-year Comprehensive Sexuality Education and Safe Space Programme, Girls’ Power Initiative (GPI) Calabar Centre carried out a Social Work and Community Intervention on 30th June 2026.

The outreach took place at Government Science Primary School, Mayne Avenue; PCN Primary School, Akim; and Hero International College, all within Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State.

The intervention gave the graduating girls an opportunity to apply the knowledge, skills, and values gained through the GPI programme by educating pupils and students in selected schools. It also sought to increase awareness of current social issues affecting young people and to encourage positive attitudes and healthy choices.

Thirty graduating girls from level 3 took part in the outreach. They were accompanied and supervised by GPI facilitators, volunteers, and members of the Girls’ Power Initiative (GPI) Alumni Association (GAA), who provided guidance and support throughout the exercise.

29/06/2026

The Girls’ Power Initiative (GPI), Calabar, successfully held the graduation ceremony for beneficiaries of the ICCEF supported Vocational & Digital Skills Training on today 29th June 2026 at the Conference Hall, Ayamurua, Calabar.

The event marked the successful completion of the 4 months training and celebrated the beneficiaries’ dedication, resilience, and acquisition of vocational and digital skills. The ceremony opened with remarks by Dr. Abayomi, Programme Officer at ICCEF, who commended the beneficiaries and urged them to utilize their new skills not just to improve their livelihoods but also give back to their communities.

This was followed by a project overview by GPI Calabar Head of Programmes, Ndodeye Bassey-Obongha, who outlined the initiative’s objectives, activities implemented and impact. Highlights of the programme included a spoken word performance and testimonies from beneficiaries, facilitators, and parents/guardians on how the training boosted confidence, skills and future aspirations.

Goodwill messages were also delivered by Directors from Cross River State Ministry of Youth Development and the Ministry of Women Affairs. They commended ICCEF and GPI for the work as well as partnership and encouraged participants to make productive use of acquired skills.

A key highlight was the presentation of certificates to the graduates. The ceremony ended with a vibrant fashion parade, where beneficiaries showcased outfits they produced while in the training. The graduation marked a major milestone and demonstrated the impact of strategic partnerships in equipping young people with marketable skills for sustainable livelihoods and economic empowerment.

22/06/2026

Girls’ Power Initiative (GPI) Calabar Centre hosted the third mentoring and exhibition session for beneficiaries of the ICCEF-supported Vocational Skills Training Programme at the conference hall of the Calabar Centre.

Mrs. Ruth Francis, CEO of Ruthie’s Elegance, served as the session’s guest mentor. A proud GPI Skills Acquisition graduate (2016/2017), she has spent 10+ years in the fashion industry and has gone on to train over 500 young women, equipping them with real, practical skills.

During the session, Mrs. Ruth shared her personal journey to success, encouraging beneficiaries to remain focused, determined, and committed to their training. She reminded them that every successful entrepreneur starts somewhere and that perseverance is key to overcoming challenges. The session also featured an assessment of the beneficiaries’ improved dressmaking skills, with feedback and guidance provided by the mentor. beneficiaries further benefited from a guided tour of the mentors business shop, where they gained firsthand insight into running a successful fashion enterprise.

As part of the session activities, the beneficiaries made a presentation of their business plans for the next six month as the training sets to conclude in few days. The session ended on a positive note after an evaluation, leaving participants motivated, inspired, and better prepared for their entrepreneurial journeys.

16/06/2026

15/06/2026

Girls’ Power Initiative (GPI) Calabar Centre, successfully hosted an Interactive Parents’ Safe Space Session for parents, guardians, and caregivers of adolescent girls participating in its Safe Space Programme.

The session, themed “Informed Parents/Guardians Create an Enabling and Safe Environment for Their Children’s Healthy Growth,” provided an engaging platform for learning, reflection, and dialogue. Activities included video presentations highlighting GPI’s impact over the years, inspiring testimonies from parents, a presentation on the importance of nurturing healthy parent-child relationships, and an interactive discussion on “Skills to Foster Trust, Respect, Understanding, and Effective Communication Between Parents and Children.” facilitated by Dr. Edak, Medical Consultant at the Psychiatric Hospital, Calabar.

Throughout the session, participants gained valuable knowledge and practical parenting strategies. The programme also offered a supportive environment where parents and guardians could ask questions, share experiences, and strengthen their capacity to promote the emotional, mental, and social well-being of their children.

12/06/2026

Girls’ Power Initiative (GPI) Calabar, in partnership with the Cross River State Ministry of Health and with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), successfully conducted an eight-day vocational and livelihood skills training for 20 obstetric fistula survivors. Held from June 1st to June 10th, 2026, the programme combined two key components: sessions on Business Development (BDT), including financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills, and hands-on training in saponification, perfume blending and confectionery as viable pathways to economic empowerment.

The initiative was designed to equip beneficiaries with practical, income-generating skills while building their self-confidence, decision-making capacity, and overall ability to achieve sustainable social and economic reintegration. Through practical learning and mentorship, participants gained the knowledge and business skills needed to support their livelihoods and improve their well-being.

The programme concluded on Wednesday, June 10th, 2026 with a graduation ceremony and the distribution of starter packs to all beneficiaries to aid kickstart their entrepreneurial journeys. Distinguished guests at the event included the Honorable Commissioner for Health, represented by the Chairman, House Committee on Health of the CRS House of Assembly; two representatives from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); the Medical Superintendent of General Hospital, Calabar; the Director of Nursing, Cross River State Ministry of Health; and the Surgeon in charge of the Obstetric Fistula Department, General Hospital, Calabar, including the Coordinator GPI Calabar Center

More than a skills training, this initiative restores dignity and hope. By fostering economic independence and creating a supportive environment for recovery, the programme advances a future where no woman is left behind — where every fistula survivor can live in good health, with dignity, and fully participate in society.


Bliss Echip
Margaret Udo
UNFPA Nigeria
Megras Cakes N Crafts