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[28 October 2011] - The UK-based child rights NGO, Stepping Stones Nigeria (SSN)1, has launched an exciting new initiative to support Nigerian child rights organisations across the Niger Delta. The PACT Coalition2 Official Launch, which coincided with African Human Rights Day, was held between 20-22 October in Calabar. The event included a presentation from the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Cross River State and a screening of the child rights Nollywood film ‘The Fake Prophet’. The event saw over 30 delegates receive free training sessions on child rights law and litigation, child protection, fundraising and monitoring and evaluation techniques. The event also saw the launch of a brand new Small Grants Scheme specifically for PACT Coalition members. The PACT Coalition, which is part of the PACT (Prevent Abuse of Children Today) campaign, brings together more than 30 child rights organisations from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta and Rivers states and offers financial and training support to assist these groups to carry out essential child rights work. Mrs Eseoghene Edoja-Ibor of the Calabar-based NGO, Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, and the PACT Ambassador for Cross River State said ‘There are so many people across the Niger Delta who are undertaking vital work to uphold child rights and it is essential to recognise and support them in their efforts. Through working together in the PACT Coalition I am convinced that we can achieve great things for human rights in Nigeria’. Lynda Battarbee, Campaigns Officer for SSN said ‘Supporting Nigerian child rights NGOs to carry out their work is one of the most important ways in which we can bring about positive long-term change for the children of the Niger Delta. SSN is hugely proud to stand with such passionate and committed people and we take inspiration from their efforts’. Child rights organisations based in the Niger Delta who are interested in joining the PACT Coalition should contact Mrs Lynda Battarbee: [email protected] For more information on the PACT Campaign and PACT Coalition see www.makeapact.org The PACT Campaign is sponsored by Stepping Stones Nigeria. Further Information: