Gov. Akpabio Receives Kudos For Child Protection

Governor Godswill Akpabio has been commended for his massive programmes toward child survival, protection and development in the state.
The commendation was contained in a communiqué issued recently at the end of a one day forum of community governance structures on HINI and other essential family practices organized by UNICEF, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Social Re-orientation.
The forum expressed appreciation to Governor Akpabio’s free health care services for the children and pregnant women in the state, adding that this has resulted in high reduction in child and maternal mortality.
It went further to acknowledge the free and compulsory education policy of government which is geared at protecting and securing the future of the Akwa Ibom Child noting that this laudable programme fit into the global objective of UNICEF of ensuring child survival.
While declaring open the forum, the commissioner for Information and Social Re-orientation, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, had lauded the efforts of UNICEF in child survival and development, stating that the body is a dependable partner in the care for the child and mother.
The Commissioner for Information reiterated that the Akpabio-led government will at all times support UNICEF as the Governor is a child-friendly one, reiterating that the Governor’s commitment to child welfare and survival made the state one of the first in the country to enact the Child Rights Law.
He reminded participants at the forum that the child Rights Law prohibits any form of abuse on the Akwa Ibom Child such as child trafficking, child labour and servitude, sexual abuse and stigmatization.
Mr. Umanah condemned in strong terms the upsurge in child witch saga in most communities in the state and warned that culprits will be made to face the law as stigmatization is prohibited by the Child Rights Law.
He commended UNICEF for organizing the forum to educate the public on essential family practices and HINI, a sub type of influenza. A virus that infect people, and disclosed that the state government is committed to ensuring that the HINI virus is not found any where near the state.
In her welcome address, the Chairman of Uyo Local Government, Dr. Chris Nyong, expressed gratitude to both UNICEF and the Ministry of Information and Social Re-orientation for their collaborative efforts in organizing the forum aimed at promoting the welfare of child and mother.
The Uyo Chairman who was represented by the Council Secretary, Dr. Roberta Edem said, Uyo council has been keying into all programmes of government aimed at the survival and development of the child and would continue to support all laudable programmes of government.
While setting the climate for the forum, the Social Mobilization and Technical Committee (SOMTEC) Programme Officer, UNICEF in the Ministry of Information, Mrs. Grace Akpan said, the one day forum, which is to be organized in the three senatorial districts of the state, is geared at reaching about 450 community members in the state.
Mrs. Akpan said, the forum evolves normative standards and action plans to institutionalize the six essential family practices enlisted by UNICEF for the healthy living of the child and mother.
She enumerated the six practices to include: complete immunization, hand washing, sleeping under long lasting insecticides treated nets to prevent malaria, use of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) to prevent diarrhoea, exclusive breastfeeding and the prevention of HIV/AIDS.
Highlight of the forum were training of participants on the essential family practices by officials from line-ministries including: Ministry of Health led by the Primary Healthcare Coordinator, Mrs. UbonAbasi Udoh and AKRUWATSAN led by the head of mobilization and sanitation, Mrs. Grace Stephen
Present to further add pep to the occasion were: Director of Information, Mr. Victor Ekpo, the State Director of the National orientation Agency, Mr. Emmanuel Mel Udoh and the supervisor for Health and Social Services for Uyo Local Government, Hon. Israel Joseph.