Centre for Young People Development & Poverty Alleviation

07/05/2026

A Cry for Shelter: Help Us Rebuild Hope, One Home at a Time

Across communities torn apart by insecurity, there are families who once lived with dignity—families who had roofs over their heads, children who had beds to sleep on, and parents who had something to call home. Today, many of them have nothing but memories.

They were forced to flee. Not because they wanted to, but because staying meant risking their lives.

Mothers now cradle their children under open skies. Fathers who once provided now struggle with the pain of helplessness. Children who should be dreaming are instead learning how to survive.

At the Centre for Young People Development and Poverty Alleviation Initiative (CYDPAN), we have met these families. We have listened to their stories—stories of loss, displacement, fear, and uncertainty. But even in the midst of despair, one thing remains constant: hope.

Hope that someone, somewhere, will care enough to help them rebuild.

Today, we are launching a mission to build 100 safe homes for individuals and families displaced by insecurity. Not just structures of brick and cement, but places of refuge—spaces where healing can begin, where dignity can be restored, and where lives can be rebuilt.

Each home represents more than shelter. It represents:

A child sleeping peacefully again
A mother cooking a meal in safety
A family finding stability after chaos

But we cannot do this alone.

We are calling on you—partners, donors, and compassionate hearts—to stand with us. Your support, no matter the size, can help turn this vision into reality.

$50 can provide essential building materials.
$500 can support roofing for a family.
$5000 and above can help complete a home and restore a life.

Every contribution is a step toward rebuilding not just houses, but hope.

Let us not look away. Let us not grow numb to their pain.

Instead, let us rise together and say: You are not forgotten.

Join CYDPAN in this life-changing mission. Be the reason a displaced family smiles again. Be the answer to someone’s silent prayer.

Together, we can build 100 homes. Together, we can rebuild lives.

Every contribution is a step toward rebuilding not just houses, but hope.

Let us not look away. Let us not grow numb to their pain.

Instead, let us rise together and say: You are not forgotten.

Join CYDPAN in this life-changing mission. Be the reason a displaced family smiles again. Be the answer to someone’s silent prayer.

Together, we can build 100 homes. Together, we can rebuild lives.

Donate today. Restore hope. Rebuild dignity.

https://www.oncrowdr.com/explore/c/a-cry-for-shelter-help-us-rebuild-hope-one-home-at-a-time?fbclid=IwY2xjawRpSl5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe8mYTbs0HKwqbVemLmtxLOWFidpnkaJGRQ4gBnv4lJNGxdQ8LsfnExeqzG-E_aem_Yyz-rEnf7pxsPbGsnFzKKA

06/05/2026

Today, we are launching a mission to build 100 safe homes for individuals and families displaced by insecurity. Not just structures of brick and cement, but places of refuge—spaces where healing can begin, where dignity can be restored, and where lives can be rebuilt.

Every contribution is a step toward rebuilding not just houses, but hope.

Join CYDPAN in this life-changing mission. Be the reason a displaced family smiles again. Be the answer to someone’s silent prayer.

Together, we can build 100 homes. Together, we can rebuild lives.

Donate today. Restore hope. Rebuild dignity.

Across communities torn apart by insecurity, there are families who once lived with dignity—families who had roofs over their heads, children who had beds to sleep on, and parents who had something to call home. Today, many of them have nothing but memories. They were forced to flee. Not because t...

11/10/2025

WHEN SILENCE HURTS: THE HIDDEN SCARS OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA

Every day in Nigeria, a woman suffers in silence. A girl is r***d and told to hush. A wife is beaten and told to endure for peace. A child is forced into marriage while her dreams are stolen. These are not isolated cases. They are the repeated echoes of a society that lets pain live in shadows.

Data reveals that roughly one in three Nigerian women aged 15–49 has experienced physical or sexual violence. And this excludes the thousands of cases that are never reported. Silence from families protecting “family name” instead of seeking justice. Silence from religious leaders preaching forgiveness to the victim, not accountability to the abuser. Silence from institutions — police stations, courts, and hospitals — that force survivors to relive trauma just to prove they were harmed. These are the everyday realities of Nigerian women who are told to “keep quiet and move on.”

Nigeria already has laws meant to protect women — the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) 2015) criminalizes many forms of gender-based violence. Yet in many states, this law remains just ink on paper. Police stations lack capacity, forensic services are inadequate, and survivors are often met with disbelief or outright humiliation.

Still, hope is not dead. In Akwa Ibom State, Barrister Emem Ette, a fearless gender rights advocate and legal practitioner, has become a leading voice in the fight against gender-based violence. Through her relentless advocacy, community sensitization, and legal interventions, she has stood in the gap for countless women and girls who were silenced by stigma and fear. Her campaigns have challenged cultural norms that protect abusers, and her courtroom battles have set powerful precedents for justice.

Alongside her efforts, the Centre for Young People Development and Poverty Alleviation Initiative (CYDPAN) has been a vital force in breaking the cycle of silence. The woman-led organization works across communities to educate young people, empower women, and dismantle harmful traditional practices that fuel gender-based violence. Through its programs on women’s rights, psychosocial support, and economic empowerment, CYDPAN continues to restore hope, dignity, and strength to survivors.

Every survivor who speaks out is not asking for pity — they demand justice. Every story told is a protest. Every tear shed is a testament.

Now is the time to turn words into action. Enforce the VAPP Act in every state. Increase funding for shelters, helplines, and legal aid. Train law enforcement to treat survivors with dignity. Educate communities to reject the lie that abuse is a “family matter.” Create transparent systems that hold leaders accountable.

We cannot call Nigeria just or free when half the population lives in fear. We cannot praise development while women suffer in silence. We cannot build a nation on silence and call it peace.

Break the silence. Demand justice. Spread the truth. Because until women are safe, Nigeria is not free.

28/06/2025

The Centre for Young People Development and poverty Alleviation Initiative and Girls' Power Initiative, in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Coalition Against Gender Based Violence , organized a school sensitization program at Cornelia Connelly College Afaha Oku,Uyo for JSS 3 students as part of activities to commemorate the 2025 Gender Based Violence Awareness Month and the 5th Anniversary of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law in Akwa Ibom State.

As part of this initiative, a sensitization session was held to increase awareness and deepen understanding of Gender Based Violence among students.

The session was facilitated by Uwakmfon Ayakeme, who delivered an engaging and insightful presentation on ;
Introduction to Gender Based Violence, forms and prevention Strategies for GBV.
During the session, students were actively involved, with many sharing personal thoughts and experiences. Notably, several students admitted that this was their first time learning about the subject, highlighting the urgent need for continued awareness creation in schools.

The facilitator also outlined various offences captured under the VAPP Law and explained the punishments applicable to perpetrators. This provided students with a clearer understanding of their rights and the legal consequences of gender based violence.

An interactive Question and Answer session was done to allowed students seek clarification, with detailed answers given to their inquiries.

Students were encouraged to speak up whenever they experience or witness abuse, and were informed of the appropriate channels for reporting such cases so that the necessary actions could be taken by authorities.

In a vote of thanks, the senior school prefect expressed sincere gratitude to the organizing team for enlightening the students, pledging to share the message further with peers for a broader impact.

A major highlight of the program was the presentation of copies of the VAAP Law and school training manual to the school’s Vice Principal, Mr. Emmanuel Bassey. He commended the organizations for their impactful work and promised to utilize the materials to continue student sensitization within the school.

This event was a significant step in fostering a culture of zero tolerance for GBV among young people and strengthening their capacity to speak up and seek justice in accordance with the VAPP law.

22/06/2025

The Centre for Young People Development and Poverty Alleviation Initiative (CYDPAN), in collaboration with the Coalition Against Gender-Based Violence, organized a sensitization program at the All Nations for Christ Church, Afaha Offot, Uyo, today, June 22.

The awareness campaign themed "United Against violence,celebrating Five Years of the VAPP Law," aimed to educate and engage the church congregation on the issue of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and to promote awareness of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law.

The program is part of a broader initiative to take the fight against GBV to local communities, including faith-based institutions. By engaging churches, the campaign seeks to foster a culture of zero tolerance for violence and increase awareness of legal protections available under the VAPP Law.

The session was facilitated by Ms. Uwakmfon Ayakeme, CYDPAN's Assistant Programs Officer. She delivered a concise yet impactful overview of GBV, its various forms, and the societal and psychological effects it has on survivors and communities.

Ayakeme read key sections of the VAPP Law, highlighting the legal consequences of GBV offenses. She emphasised that the law exists not just to punish perpetrators but to protect and empower victims to speak up and seek help.

The facilitator urged members of the congregation to embrace peace, reject all forms of violence, and report any incidents of abuse to the Gender-Based Violence Unit. She stressed that silence enables abuse, and encouraged everyone to be part of the solution by speaking out and supporting survivors.

The high point of the event was the formal presentation of the VAPP Law document to Pastor Philomena Bassey, the presiding pastor of the church.

In her response, Pastor Philomena expressed profound gratitude to the organizers for choosing their church as a platform for such an important message. She commended the initiative and pledged to sustain the sensitization by educating church members on the VAAP Law and encouraging a culture of peace and accountability within the church community.

The sensitisation campaign marked another important step in the ongoing effort to eradicate GBV through community-based awareness and legal education.

28/05/2025

World Menstrual Hygiene Day

Today, we stand with girls and women around the world to break the silence, end the stigma, and promote dignity. At the Center for Young People Development and Poverty Alleviation Initiative, we believe that menstrual health is a human right not a privilege.

Periods are natural, not shameful. Yet, millions of girls still face barriers to education, health, and dignity due to a lack of access to menstrual products, proper sanitation, and accurate information.

Today, we join the world "Together for a world."

Let’s keep raising awareness, providing support, and empowering young people with the tools and knowledge they need.

22/05/2025

CYDPAN DIALOGUES WITH COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE PREVENTION, SURVIVORS’ SAFETY

On 31 March 2025, the Centre for Young People Development and Poverty Alleviation Initiative (CYDPAN), with support from African Women Development Fund (AWDF), in its continued commitment to fostering safer communities and amplifying voices against gender-based violence (GBV), hosted a Community Stakeholders’ Dialogue aimed at strengthening support for GBV survivors.

The Stakeholders’ Dialogue, themed “Prevention of Sexual Violence, Safety, and Support for Survivors”, was held at the palace of the Paramount Ruler, Uya Oro, Oron Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.

The event brought together stakeholders, traditional rulers, community leaders, and representatives of security agencies, serving as a platform for meaningful conversation and collective action against GBV, particularly at the grassroots level.

The dialogue forms part of CYDPAN’s ongoing efforts to build the capacity of community leaders and position them as frontline advocates in the fight against GBV.

CYDPAN's Assistant Programme Officer, Miss Uwakmfon Ayakeme, briefed participants on the organisation’s mission, highlighting ongoing initiatives aimed at youth development and poverty alleviation. She reiterated the significance of the step-down training provided to stakeholders, which unpacked the various forms of GBV, explored preventive strategies, and examined community-level responses.

CYDPAN's call to action was clear: to reinforce systems at the community level that protect and support people especially women and vulnerable populations.

The legal frameworks for GBV prevention and response were thoroughly outlined by Edidiong Enang, the training facilitator. Key components of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, designed to protect women, girls, and children from all forms of violence, were discussed in detail.

Participants were further educated on various offences under the Act, such as r**e, harmful traditional practices, sexual coercion, unwanted touching, female ge***al mutilation, and harmful widowhood rites. The legal consequences of violating these provisions were highlighted, as well as the importance of accountability and justice for survivors.

The session also encouraged open dialogue among participants. Mr Inyang Okon Etim shared that r**e perpetrators are usually handed over to the Nigeria Police Force. Offong Edet Effiong raised concerns about how young people dress, implying it often leads to r**e.

The facilitator addressed this clearly, stating that indecent dressing is never a justification for sexual violence and is not accepted by the courts. She noted, however, that the law does address indecent exposure when it is intended to seduce. The discussion also emphasised the need to create safe spaces for boys to speak out about abuse, just as girls are encouraged to do.

Stakeholders agreed that both boys and girls must be equally educated on their rights and responsibilities regarding GBV. When asked about traditional methods of punishment, it was confirmed that offenders are now generally handed over to law enforcement for appropriate legal action.

Chief Cyril Bassey, representing the Paramount Ruler, expressed gratitude to CYDPAN for organising the dialogue and assured that the knowledge gained would be disseminated across villages. He encouraged the organisation to host similar sessions regularly to sustain community awareness and commitment.

The session concluded with key takeaways and a collective roadmap forward. Three major action points were underscored:

1. Reporting: Community members must prioritise reporting GBV cases to the appropriate security agencies rather than resolving them in secrecy or through traditional means.

2. Sensitisation: Sustained awareness efforts are crucial. Stakeholders were urged to take GBV education into schools, religious institutions, and local associations.

3. Capacity-Building: There must be continuous training for community stakeholders to ensure that every leader becomes a GBV advocate and a support pillar for survivors.

The dialogue reaffirmed the community’s shared responsibility to combat GBV and support survivors. CYDPAN pledged to continue its advocacy towards building safer, more inclusive communities where women, girls, boys and everyone can live free from fear and intimidation.

01/05/2025

A new month offers new opportunities for us to rewrite our stories and push towards achieving our goals.

This month, we urge you to embrace it with open arms, and a positive mindset. Take charge of your every day thought and be hopeful.

From all of us at CYDPAN, we wish you a HAPPY NEW MONTH!