Andy Esiet, , Calabar
Governor’s wife aides attending to the street children
The Cross River state government has commenced the process of ridding the streets of Calabar of street children.
This initiative is through the office of the wife of the governor, Rev. Eyoawan Bassey Otu and is aimed at providing succour, psychosocial support, education, and livelihood opportunities to these vulnerable children.
A statement on July 5 by her Chief Press Secretary, Faith Okon, said the commitment shown by the Office of the Wife of the Governor highlights the government’s dedication to social welfare and the well-being of its citizens as by extending a helping hand to street children, they are paving the way for a brighter and more equitable future for all.
To kick start the process, Rev. Otu, through her aides, has reached out to the street children within the Calabar metropolis, promising much-needed assistance and support.
Led by the representative of the Wife of the Governor, Dr Comfort Oko, the visit to the street children aimed to identify their specific needs and develop a comprehensive plan to address them.
She encouraged the children to be of good behaviour while emphasizing the importance of nurturing the potential of every child and creating an inclusive society.
The visit began with the gospel of Jesus Christ preached to the children, after which they were led in a session of prayer, by the Special Assistant to the Wife of the Governor on religious affairs, Evang. Odo Bassey.
During the visit, the Special Assistant to the Wife of the Governor on Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO), Jeff Adamade, engaged in meaningful conversations with the street children, listening to their stories and understanding the challenges they face on a daily basis so as to know their specific needs.
She stated that already, “plans are underway to enroll the children whose preference is going back to school while others who prefer to learn a skill will be linked with professionals in various skills, enabling them to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills for a brighter future”.
The statement stated that the collective effort of both the office of the governor’s wife and the state government seeks to provide a holistic support system that addresses the immediate needs of street children while fostering long-term solutions.
