Civil Society Network On Hepatitis Nigeria

03/02/2026

HohLiF Takes Hepatitis Elimination Campaign to ECWA Church, Jalingo

Sunday, 1st February 2026

In furtherance of its commitment to the elimination of Hepatitis, the Health of Life Foundation (HohLiF) on Sunday carried out a comprehensive Hepatitis awareness, screening, and testing outreach at ECWA Church No. 3, ATC Kofai, Jalingo.

The outreach was implemented following official approval and partnership with the Church Board, underscoring the growing role of faith-based institutions in advancing community health initiatives.

Addressing the congregation, the Executive Director of HohLiF, Dr. Tony Garba, delivered an extensive health talk on Hepatitis, explaining its meaning, types, modes of transmission, prevention strategies, and the critical importance of early testing.

“Hepatitis remains one of the most silent but deadly public health threats because many people live with it for years without symptoms,” Dr. Tony Garba said. “By taking awareness, screening, and testing to religious centres like this, we are not only saving lives but empowering communities with the knowledge needed to prevent transmission and seek timely care.”

Following the lecture, members of the congregation were screened, counselled, and tested for Hepatitis by trained health personnel, with one-on-one counselling provided to ensure understanding of test results and available care pathways.

Speaking on behalf of the Church leadership, a representative of ECWA Church No. 3, Jalingo, commended the initiative and encouraged continued collaboration between health organisations and religious institutions.

“The Church has a responsibility not only for the spiritual well-being of its members but also for their physical health,” the Church leader stated. “We appreciate HohLiF for bringing this life-saving programme to our congregation and we urge our members to take the messages and lessons from today seriously.”

A total of 507 persons were reached during the outreach, marking a significant milestone in community-based Hepatitis prevention efforts in Jalingo.

HohLiF reaffirmed its dedication to extending health interventions beyond clinical settings and into community spaces, particularly faith-based centres, as a sustainable strategy toward the elimination of Hepatitis and the promotion of healthier communities.

30/01/2026

HEPATITS B STUDY HALT

It’s the sovereignty of the country’:

Guinea-Bissau says US vaccine study suspended
Despite US pushback, officials in west Africa say controversial hepatitis B study on pause amid ethics concerns.

07/01/2026

BEKWARRA RECORDS MAJOR HEPATITIS B ADVOCACY MILESTONE (2023–2025)

Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River State has recorded remarkable progress in Hepatitis B awareness, prevention, and advocacy between 2023 and 2025, through sustained partnerships, community engagement, and philanthropic support.

The achievements were driven by the Bekwarra Hepatitis B Support & Advocacy Initiative, a grassroots-led health intervention committed to reducing the burden of Hepatitis B and strengthening community health outcomes in Bekwarra and beyond.

Speaking on the milestone, the Initiative acknowledged the critical role played by government institutions, international health bodies, faith-based organizations, community groups, and development partners whose collaborations made the successes possible.

Key institutional partners include the Cross River State Ministry of Health (CRSMoH), Calabar, the Cross River State Ministry of Social Welfare and Community Development, the Hepatitis B Foundation (USA), the World Hepatitis Alliance (London), and the Civil Society Network on Hepatitis Nigeria. Others are the Ke'ebekwarra Itanung Foundation, Sir Augustine Agbor Odere Foundation (SAAOF), Henry Ojong Foundation (HOF), Julius Agba’s Charity Foundation, and the Bekwarra Committee of Mega Friends, Calabar.

Faith-based and community institutions such as St. Monica Older Adults Initiative, the Catholic Diocese of Ogoja (Abuochiche Deanery), the Assemblies of God Church, Bekwarra District, and the Action Group of Bekwarra Youth also played strategic roles. Additional technical and medical support came from the Institute of Health Science Research and Administration Hospital (IHSRAN), Obudu, the PHC Department of Bekwarra LGA, and medical committees for the Bekwarra New Yam Festival 2025 and the Bekwarra Secondary School 50th Anniversary Celebration.

The Initiative further expressed deep gratitude to private donors and individual sponsors whose voluntary contributions sustained its activities.

Among those acknowledged are Hon. Patrick Amajama Ashu, Dr. Agnes Ewuru, Prof. Ochugudu Ipuele Achoda, Elder Fidel Ogar Odey, Mr. Patrick Oko (CEO, Cogitos Resorts), Dr. John Owan, Engr. Ushie, David Ushie, Dr. Samuel Odey, Barr. Grace Otiko, Hon. Egbung Odama Egbung (former Vice Chairman, Bekwarra LGC), Mr. Lawrence A. Ede, Dr. John A. Odey, Mr. Michael Otogo, Mr. Patrick Okoli Ogar, Dr. Bernard Okwor, Barr. DonHenry Akwajire, Rev. Prof. Godwin Ushie, Prof. Sylvanus Ushie Oko, Dr. Pius E. Akah, Dr. Cyril Enyam, Dr. Clement Otogo, Dr. Emmanuel Ojar, and Chief Iyala Godwin (JP).

According to the Initiative, the collective efforts of these partners underscore the fact that the achievements recorded were not accomplished in isolation, but through shared responsibility and commitment to public health.
“Bekwarra and Cross River State remain indebted to our valued partners, collaborators, and private sponsors.

This collective support has brought us this far and continues to inspire greater impact,” the statement read.

As the Initiative looks ahead to 2026, it expressed optimism for deeper collaboration, renewed commitment, and more productive engagements with stakeholders and philanthropic organizations working toward similar health and development goals.

The statement was signed by David Irinam, Team Lead, Bekwarra Hepatitis B Support & Advocacy Initiative, Cross River State, Nigeria.

06/01/2026

WACHEF Appoints Beden Mergu Barnabas as Executive Director, Faizah Abubakar Yaro as Deputy Executive Director

By Christiane Babayo | Worldview Magazine | January 1, 2026

The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Women and Children Health Empowerment Foundation (WACHEF) has announced the appointment of Mrs. Beden Mergu Barnabas as the new Executive Director, and Ms. Faizah Abubakar Yaro as Deputy Executive Director, with immediate effect.

The appointments followed a rigorous screening and interview process conducted by the Board to identify leaders with the requisite competence, experience, and strategic vision to advance WACHEF’s mission.

The announcement was formally made on December 31, 2025, by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Garba Danjuma.

Profile of the Executive Director

Mrs. Beden Mergu Barnabas holds a Master’s Degree in Industrial Sociology and brings to her new role extensive experience in strategic leadership, programme management, and institutional development. Prior to her appointment, she served as Deputy Executive Director of WACHEF from June 2025, where she provided strategic oversight for programme delivery, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and donor priorities.

She also served as Project Lead for the CLM N-THRIP Project in Bauchi State, implemented by WACHEF with funding support from the Global Fund.

Mrs. Beden possesses several professional certifications, including Project Management for Development Professionals (PMD Pro), Leadership Essentials, and Project Management Essentials.

She has also earned specialized certifications in WASH in Emergencies, Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies, and Disaster Readiness, obtained between 2024 and 2025.

Profile of the Deputy Executive Director

The newly appointed Deputy Executive Director, Ms. Faizah Abubakar Yaro, holds a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Public Health. She currently serves as a Project Manager with WACHEF in Jalingo, Taraba State, where she manages the Transforming Health and Resilience for Individuals through Vibrant Empowerment (THRIVE) project.

The THRIVE project is implemented by the Centre for Clinical Care and Clinical Research (CCCRN) as the prime partner, in collaboration with Project HOPE, TA Connect, and Heartland Alliance (HALG), with funding from the United States Government.

Ms. Yaro previously served as Assistant Executive Director of WACHEF, where she played a key role in planning, implementation, and monitoring of organizational programmes, as well as overseeing day-to-day operations to ensure efficiency, accountability, and regulatory compliance.

Board’s Confidence and Commendation

The Board of Trustees expressed strong confidence that the new leadership team will consolidate WACHEF’s achievements, strengthen institutional capacity, and expand the Foundation’s impact in improving the health and well-being of women and children across Nigeria.

The Board also commended the outgoing Executive Director, Mr. Jafaar Magaji, for his dedication, leadership, and notable accomplishments during his tenure.

01/01/2026

NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM NATIONAL COORDINATOR

My very Distinguished Comrades.

Let me very specially appreciate God Almighty who has, in his infinite mercies and loving kindness ushered us into the Year 2026.
I wish us all a very prosperous and fulfilling 2026.

Dear Friends and Fellow Comrades, as we begin the new year, I beseech us to demonstrate a renewed commitment to our collective fight against Viral Hepatitis B and C which are our common enemy. Let us remember that in the year 2025, we lost one of our beloved comrade to the cold hands of death as a result of this virus and he was just one of the many Nigerians who lost their lives due to viral hepatitis.

2026 is a year we must put all hands on deck with sincerity of purpose and work together as a team to ensure we hold duty bearers to account and ensure that those who are supposed to provide Hepatitis Services in our hospitals and health facilities do not slack but are up and doing to ensure no one is left behind. We must ensure we spread the message of Hepatitis and the need for birth dose vaccination to everyone in order to empower them against the virus.

As a network, we will continue to support our individual and collective efforts and together we shall put an end to viral hepatitis in our lifetime.

Short Live the Scourge of Viral Hepatitis!
Long live the Civil Society Network on Hepatitis Nigeria!!
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!

Best wishes

Dr. Nseabasi Ekanem
National Coordinator

25/12/2025

24/12/2025

For All Enquiries on Hepatitis, Please Call or WhatsApp:

• Dr. Ekanem – 08028791004
• Dr. Ajis – 09099999391

We Are Dedicated to the Elimination of Hepatitis Across Nigeria and Beyond.

* HAUSA

Domin Tambaya Game da Cutar Hanta (Hepatitis), Kira Ko A Tura Saƙon WhatsApp Zuwa:

• Dr. Ekanem – 08028791004
• Dr. Ajis – 09099999391

Muna Aiki Don Kawar da Cutar Hepatitis a Duk Faɗin Nijeriya Da Ma Duniya Baki Daya.

* IGBO

Maka Ajụjụ Ọ Bụla Banyere Hepatitis (Ọrịa Imeju), Biko Kpọọ Ma Ọ Bụ Zipu Ozi WhatsApp Na Nọmba Ndị A:

• Dr. Ekanem – 08028791004
• Dr. Ajis – 09099999391

Anyị Kwesịrị Ekwesị Na Mbibi Hepatitis N’ofe Naịjirịa Dum Na Kwa Mpụga Ya.

* YORUBA

Fún Gbogbo Ìbéèrè Nípa Àrùn Hepatitis (Àrùn Ẹdọ), Jọ̀wọ́ Pe Tàbí Ránṣẹ́ WhatsApp Sí Àwọn Nọ́mbà Wọ̀nyí:

• Dr. Ekanem – 08028791004
• Dr. Ajis – 09099999391

A Ní Ìfaramọ́ Látí Pa Àrùn Hepatitis Rẹ́ Kúrò Káàkiri Nàìjíríà àti Lẹ́yìn Rẹ̀.

24/12/2025

Cutar hanta (Hepatitis) cuta ce mai matuƙar haɗari wadda kan iya kashe mutum. Ba ta nuna alamomi a farkon lokaci. Don Allah, a je a yi gwaji.
Kada a jira sai lokacin gwajin aure ko lokacin da ake son bayar da jini.

24/12/2025

Ọrịa imeju (Hepatitis) bụ ọrịa dị ize ndụ nke nwere ike igbu mmadụ. Ọ naghị egosi mgbaàmà n’oge mmalite ya. Biko, gaa nyochaa ahụike gị.
Echela ruo mgbe a ga-eme nyocha alụmdi na nwunye ma ọ bụ mgbe ịchọrọ inye ọbara.