Governor Akpabio Warns Against Child Trafficking

The State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio has re-echoed the warning against child trafficking, child abuse, abandonment and drug abuse in the state with a vow to invoke the full weight of the law on any one found wanting.
Chief Akpabio gave this warning during a sensitization workshop against child trafficking, child abuse, neglect and drug abuse in Uyo.
The Governor who spoke through the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Eunice Thomas decried a situation where children who ought to be shown affection and care are made to suffer all forms of indignities in the hands of their supposed caregivers.
He reiterated the commitment of his administration to stop this negative trend, noting that the government has already enacted a Child Rights Law to safeguard and protect the rights of children in the state.
“The government has introduced the free and compulsory education in the state as well as provide free healthcare facility for children, pregnant women and the aged”, he added.
Governor Akpabio then assured that his administration would continue to put in place measures and structures to enhance the welfare of the children.
Speaking on menace of child abuse, Barr. Ima-obong Okpongette thanked Governor Akpabio for the enactment of child rights law in the state which would safeguard the interest of the children.
To complement this effort, Barr. Okpongette disclosed that family court has been built to protect the rights of children and provide pamphlets on child rights to enlighten the public.
In her welcome address, the speaker Akwa Ibom State Children’s Parliament, Hon. Edima Akpan thanked Chief Akpabio for enacting the child Rights Law and introducing free, compulsory and qualitative education in the state.
Miss Edima Akpan therefore advised members of the public against crime and urged them to join hands with government to protect the children for a better future.
Papers presented at the seminar include Effects of Child Abuse/Labour and Child Protection by Ofon A. John; Effects of Child Trafficking, Abandonment and Drug Abuse by Barr. Daniel Okon.
The occasion was well attended by school children, women and voluntary organizations.