Rev. Eyoawan Otu, the wife of the Cross River governor, has promised to rid Calabar, the capital City of Cross River, of street urchins and provide the needed support to assist them to excel in life.
This is contained in a statement by the Press Secretary to the governor’s wife, Mrs. Faith Okon, and made available to newsmen in Calabar on Wednesday, July 5, 2023.
Represented by Dr. Comfort Oko, during the visit to some of the Street urchins, Mrs. Otu interacted with them and promised to better the lives of the vulnerable children in the state. She said that the visit was to identify their specific needs and develop a comprehensive plan to address them.
The governor’s spouse said the initiative was aimed at providing succor, psychosocial support, education, and livelihood opportunities to vulnerable children. She admonished the children not to see their condition as irredeemable and to also be of good behavior.
Mrs. Otu emphasized the importance of nurturing the potential of every child and creating an inclusive society.
“We will do all that we can to ensure you have a better life. Be rest assured that hope is not lost,” she said.
During the visit, Mrs. Otu’s Special Assistant on Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO), Jeff Adamade, engaged in meaningful conversations with the street children and listened to their stories and their challenges.
She stated that plans were underway to enroll the children whose preference was going back to school, while others who preferred to learn a skill will be linked with professionals. She explained that their immediate needs would be provided while fostering long-term solutions to their plight.
