C'RIVER FIRST LADY COMMITS TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO STREET CHILDREN IN CALABAR By Rekpene Uket

The wife of the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Bishop. Dr. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu has reiterated her commitment to paying more attention to issues around children in street condition in Calabar.

The First Lady made the commitment during a courtesy visit by the Cross River State Ministry of Women Affairs in collaboration with Civil Society Organizations that work with children as part of activities marking 2025  Int'l Day of Street Children observed 12th April, yearly.

After a robust  interative session and presentation of copies of Concept Notes on Rehabilitation of Street Children in Calabar, Cross River State Child Rights Law as well as Guidelines and Regulations for Alternative Care for Children in Cross River State to Her Excellency the wife of the Governor of Cross River State,  Bish. Dr. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu promised to double her efforts towards addressing the issue of street children in Calabar as part of her Humanitarian Interventions.

Speaking earlier, the Team Lead and Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Edema Irom decried the alarming rate of street children in Calabar, noting that some of these cases are traceable to unfounded prophesies of witchcraft branding, Child Labour, Physical Abuse as well as other forms abuses. She described the menace as " Time Bomb waiting to Explode".

Hon. Irom called on relevant Government  Agencies, Civil Society Organizations, Corporate Organizations, the Media as well as Public-Spirited     individuals to rise up to the challenge of addressing this menace in line with this year's theme for Int'l Day for Street Children which is "Participation" describing the theme as apt and a  timely reminder for a collaborative effort by relevant stakeholders to improve the living condition of the urchins through rehabilitation and re-integration programmes.

Also speaking, a  Human Rights Activist and Principal Counsel, Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI), James Ibor Esq.  called for effective implementation of the Cross River State Child Rights Law of 2023  noting that, many children still live in vulnerable conditions  despite the existence of the Law, stressing that these children are not witches and wizards, they are not criminals, adding that, every child deserves a right to survival, protection and support to achieve a better life.

Ibor emphasized that "Participation" means that  children should be part of the conversation on issues that affect  them.

The courtesy call was preceded by a Road Walk to create awareness  that all forms of Abuse Against Children is punishable by the Cross River State Child Rights Law 2023, calling on parents/Care-givers to be properly guided.

During the road walk, some of the street children shared their personal experiences. They spoke about the difficulties of life on the streets  ranging from substance abuse, sexual violence, lack of access to education and health care amongst others. They called on government and other relevant stakeholders to come to their aid.

The event ended with a renewed hope and commitment by stakeholders to  synergize in  order to address the menace.