United Nations Opens Office in Calabar

The United Nations yesterday opened its office in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

The global body will coordinate its activities in the South-South and South-East from the Calabar office.

Speaking while inaugurating the office, which was donated by the Cross River State Government, the UN Nigeria
Resident Co-coordinator, Mr. Dauda Toure, said the choice of Calabar was informed by the quality of leadership in the state.

Toure explained that the building which will be known as UN House will enable the UN System achieve much greater impact in reducing poverty and improving quality of life of people through better coordination, especially at the country level.

“By working together, the UN system can provide advice and assistance in a wide range of issues and also ensure that the support provided by each agency is complementary rather than duplicative.

“Obviously, having all UN agencies in one premises is bound to reduce transactional cost for the host state, partners, and UN through common service and improve business efficiency practices.

“The common premise therefore gives true and practical meaning to the UN Reform as partners and Government is able to access an array of quality expertise advice from the UN agencies, funds and programs at one location,” he stated.

He assured the state that the provision of the office accommodation to the UN family will bring more UN agencies while emphasizing the need for the state government to continually support the projects and programs of the UN agencies.

Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke said the presence of the UN in the State will further strengthen the partnership between the state and the world body, adding that it also marks the beginning of much more projects to come.

“It will be a major resources center for the people of Cross River which we will take advantage of. The presence of UN officials in Calabar means a lot for the administration and people of Cross River State”, he emphasized.

The governor maintained that everyone in the state will be committed to the partnership and will take advantage of it.

According to him, “The building is for the benefit of Cross River and humanity and to the glory of almighty God”.