The Cross River State Government said it is stepping up efforts to address the growing number of children living on the streets of Calabar.
The Ministry of Women Affairs, in a memo, said it has received recommendations of targeted interventions to address the crisis.
In commemoration of the International Day for Street Children, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Edema Irom, emphasised the need for collective action, noting that many of the children are victims of circumstances beyond their control.
She urged collaboration among government agencies, civil society, media, and the public.
“If we don’t act now, we risk facing a deeper social problem that could affect future generations,” she said, while also commending the support of the governor’s wife, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu, for championing child welfare issues.
Irom called on parents to take greater responsibility and reject harmful beliefs that lead to children being abandoned.
Child rights advocate, James Ibor, of the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI), called for full implementation of the state’s Child Rights Law (2023), stating, “These children are not criminals. They need protection and a chance at a better life.”
Jonathan Abang Ugbal, South-South Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, stressed that no society can thrive while ignoring its most vulnerable.
“Everyone must play a role—government, families, and the public alike,” he said.
Some street children also shared personal experiences of life on the streets, including exposure to drugs, sexual violence, and lack of healthcare.
The event ended with a renewed call for unity, compassion, and long-term planning to address the root causes of child homelessness.
Kareem Azeez, The Guardian
