CEE-HOPE Nigeria

24/09/2026

Anne Rüffer. 🌹

21/09/2026

We have just lost an amazing friend and supporter in the passing of Swedish filmmaker, publisher and humanitarian (founder of Hearts100), Ms Anne Ruffer.

On behalf of the entire CEE-HOPE's Family, staff, management and board of the organisation as well as staff of the Anne Ruffer's Shelter aka Hearts of Hope Shelter, Lagos (which she founded as a Hearts100 initiative as a response to gender-based violence in addition to general women's livelihoods support). We extend our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones in the face of this deep loss.

May her amazing soul rest in peace and may her great legacies endure.

-- CEE-HOPE's Management

21/09/2026

STATEMENT BY CEE-HOPE NIGERIA ON THE PASSING OF MS ANNE RÜFFER, OUR GREAT FRIEND AND SUPPORTER
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CEE-HOPE Nigeria is deeply saddened by the passing of Anne Rüffer (1957–2026), 69, a Swiss humanitarian, filmmaker, publisher and founder of Hearts100, our organisational partner.

Ms Rüffer had been a cherished friend, partner and supporter of CEE-HOPE Nigeria since 2020, when, in response to the socioeconomic distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, she, through her organisation Hearts100, supported CEE-HOPE's humanitarian response, reaching thousands of vulnerable families across Lagos, Ogun, Benue, Plateau, Kaduna and Ebonyi States with women's livelihoods support and other forms of humanitarian relief.

This marked the beginning of a deeply meaningful partnership that would grow over the years into several important initiatives.

From 2021, Ms Rüffer, through Hearts100 also established and supported continuously the Hearts of Hope Shelter in Lagos, Nigeria, run by CEE-HOPE, providing protection, care, psychosocial support and other assistance to women and girls affected by violence and other vulnerabilities. In 2024, CEE-HOPE renamed it the Anne Ruffer's Shelter out of her appreciation for her amazing, selfless and transformational support.

Her commitment went beyond shelter support. Through Hearts100, Ms Rüffer also supported women's livelihoods and economic empowerment, as well as awareness campaigns and advocacy against gender-based violence (GBV), including Female Ge***al Mutilation (FGM). She stood firmly for the dignity, safety, rights and wellbeing of women and girls.

Even while battling illness, Ms Rüffer remained deeply committed to the work in Nigeria. She continued to raise support for the programmes and causes she believed in, demonstrating the extraordinary compassion, selflessness and dedication that characterised her life. She also continued to give from her personal resources.

Ms Rüffer was far more than a partner to CEE-HOPE. She was a friend, a compassionate human being and a woman deeply committed to making a difference in the lives of others. Her warmth, generosity and incredible determination touched the lives of many people in Nigeria and beyond while choosing to remain anonymous as much as possible.

We are heartbroken by her passing, but consoled by the remarkable life of compassion and selflessness that she lived. Her impact will continue to endure in the lives of the many people she touched, and through the programmes she helped establish and strengthen in Nigeria, which will continue to touch lives for years to come.

For CEE-HOPE, her passing is a profound loss. We have lost not only a valued humanitarian partner, but a dear friend whose belief in our work and in the people we serve remained steadfast over the years.

We are profoundly grateful for all that Ms Rüffer gave — her friendship, trust, compassion, generosity and unwavering support for women and girls. The shelter she helped make possible, the women whose livelihoods were strengthened, the survivors supported, and the countless people reached through GBV and FGM awareness campaigns are part of the enduring legacy she leaves behind.

Ms Rüffer may be gone, but the lives she touched and the work she helped strengthen will continue to carry on her light.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, the Hearts100 community, and all who mourn this remarkable woman.

Rest peacefully, dear Ms Rüffer. You will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Betty Abah
Founder/Executive Director, CEE-HOPE Nigeria
Coordinator, Hearts of Hope Shelter, Lagos, Nigeria

20/09/2026

https://nationalwire.com.ng/cee-hope-demands-justice-safeguards-over-alleged-child-sexual-exploitation-in-onitsha/

The Centre for Children’s Health, Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE) has called for justice, accountability and stronger child-protection measures following reports of alleged sexual exploitation of a child in Onitsha, Anambra State. CEE-HOPE, in a statement issued on Wednesday and s...

16/09/2026

https://thenicheng.com/cee-hope-demands-thorough-investigation-into-alleged-childs-sexual-exploitation-in-onitsha/

CEE-HOPE demands thorough investigation into alleged child's sexual exploitation in Onitsha The Centre for Children’s Health, Education, Orientation and

16/09/2026

PRESS STATEMENT
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A CHILD IS NOT CONTENT: CEE-HOPE DEMANDS JUSTICE, ACCOUNTABILITY AND STRONGER SAFEGUARDS FOLLOWING ALLEGED CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION IN ONITSHA

LAGOS, 16 September 2026 — The Centre for Children’s Health, Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE) is deeply concerned by reports and circulating material concerning the alleged sexual exploitation of a child in Onitsha, Anambra State, reportedly involving the child’s mother, 36-year-old Anulika Onyeanusia.

The Anambra State Police Command says the woman was arrested on September 10 after a disturbing video circulated, and that four children, aged two, three, six and nine, were rescued from the home. The investigation is ongoing.

“This is not content, entertainment or a family matter to be dismissed. A child is not a commodity, prop, source of online income or material for sexual gratification,” said Betty Abah, Founder and Executive Director of CEE-HOPE Nigeria.

If the allegations are established in court, CEE-HOPE calls for the full application of the law and the strongest penalties available for the offences proved. We also demand an urgent, independent safeguarding assessment of all four children, with their best interests and safety paramount. Where they cannot safely remain with their mother or any person implicated in their abuse, appropriate protective and alternative-care arrangements must be made.

STOP CIRCULATING THE VIDEO

CEE-HOPE urges the public not to forward, repost, download or share the video, screenshots or related material, including in WhatsApp groups or in the name of “raising awareness.” Each unnecessary circulation can deepen the child’s violation and cause humiliation, identification and lifelong digital harm.

Anyone who encounters suspected child sexual abuse material (CSAM) should report it to law-enforcement authorities and the relevant platform, rather than distributing it. The term CSAM is important: a child who is sexually abused and recorded is not a participant in po*******hy, but a victim of abuse and exploitation.

NIGERIA’S DUTY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK

Nigeria ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in 1991 and the Optional Protocol to the CRC on the sale of children, child prostitution and child po*******hy in 2010. The CRC protects children from violence, abuse and exploitation, while the Optional Protocol addresses their sexual exploitation, including the production and dissemination of sexual material involving children.

Domestic protections include the Child Rights Act 2003, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024 and applicable state child-protection legislation. These commitments must result in swift investigation, effective prosecution, victim protection, digital accountability and prevention.

CEE-HOPE CALLS FOR:

1. A thorough and transparent investigation and prosecution of everyone involved in the alleged abuse, recording, distribution or monetisation.

2. Immediate safeguarding of all four children, including independent psychosocial assessment, trauma-informed care and protective placement where necessary.

3. Investigation of the digital trail, including anyone who solicited, facilitated, purchased, distributed, monetised or otherwise enabled the exploitation.

4. Greater accountability for digital platforms through rapid detection, removal and reporting of CSAM.

5. Stronger public education for parents, caregivers, schools and communities on online child exploitation and digital safeguarding.

6. A clear warning that circulating CSAM is not harmless and may itself constitute a criminal offence.

“Children belong to no one. They are not property, content or commodities. Their dignity, safety and best interests must come first—online, offline, at home, in school and everywhere in between,” Abah said.

CEE-HOPE calls on the authorities to ensure that protection continues beyond arrest through investigation, justice, recovery and long-term safeguarding.

Protect the child. Stop the circulation. Prosecute abuse. Hold every enabler accountable.

Betty Abah
Founder & Executive Director
CEE-HOPE Nigeria

Photo credit: Premium Times, in Practice, UK.

16/09/2026

Still basking in the euphoria of the recent double-excursion experience of 86 children from Kurudu, Ankape, Azhata, Orozo, Angwan Hakimi, Dape, and Gwagwa Karumo communities in Abuja, and coordinated by ourAbuja office.

Their one-day outing to the Yar’Adua Centre and the National Children’s Park and Zoo was both electrifying and empowering—an experience filled with learning, discovery, and joy.

Here’s a one-minute-plus video capturing some of the memorable moments.

Happy viewing! 🌹

14/09/2026

Flashes from our recent two-day skills and GBV sensitisation workshop for our women from across Lagos, and held recently at CEE-HOPE Nigeria's House in Agege, Lagos. This involved training on various economic skills, talks on gender-based violence prevention including . There was also an aerobics session and business grants disbursement towards economic independence.

It is part of our Empowered Women for Development Action (EM-MODAS) initiative activated since 2020 to empower community women across Lagos, Abuja and other states (Benue, Ebonyi, Ogun, Kaduna,Plateau, Rivers etc) where CEE-HOPE works with children, families and vulnerable populations.

We are grareful to Hearts100 for supporting this exciting and unique combo of ani-GBV and livelihoods empowerment program.

14/09/2026

🌹🏫👦👧🎒🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️