Lagos — Recently, the Akwa Ibom State was on the world map over cases of child abuse as some innocent children were labeled witches, abused and thrown out into the streets.

As this army of children grew, the state government stepped in to stem the problem by legislating against child abuse, while the governor has gone further to rehabilitate the children, attracting diverse commendation.

Governor Godswill Akpabio's recent surprise visit to the abandoned children branded witches/wizards in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, has attracted international acclaim, with many Akwa Ibom indigenes in Diaspora describing him as a sensitive and caring leader who has impacted creditably on the lives of the citizenry. Even the governor's worst critics rose in his praises on some on-line interactive hosted by yahoo groups. Akpabio had, last week, visited the Child Rights and Rehabilitation Network (CRARN) where over 200 children rejected by their parents and wards are catered for by Mr. Samuel Itauma and his wife.

During the visit, which took even the Itaumas by surprise, Akpabio announced a N10 million donation; and the setting up of a revolving scholarship scheme that would take care of the tertiary education of the children even after he has left office. He also set up a committee to reconcile some of the children with their parents and guardians and assured them of protection from further abuse and harassment.

Reacting to the development, Thompson Essien, one of Akpabio's critics in the Diaspora said: "The governor's visit to the CRARN centre was a very good gesture. It would have been a demonstration of uncaring attitude if such a visit did not take place." He, however, advocated for the arrest and prosecution of those who raided the centre recently.

A contributor to Ibom Forum, one of the on-line sites, Itoro Enang, writing from Pointe Noire, Congo, commended " the governor for listening to the cries of the Forum and thanked him for coming to the aid of those kids". Like Essien, he also urged that those behind the recent raid on the centre should be fished out, and the child's rights laws applied.

Similarly, Mercy John-Ekanem in Virginia said: "I join others to commend Akpabio for listening to the pulse of the people. In spite of what government has done or the lack thereof in Akwa Ibom, Akpabio is certainly listening to the people. I hope he does this in other areas of need as well, such as creating jobs or working hard to put in place those infrastructure that would enable industries take off."

Enewan Ebong, the President of Mboho Akwa Ibom State, United Kingdom, said by the action, the governor has proven himself worthy of the people's mandate. "The recognition and acceptance of these children by our government is a significant move to eradicate the stigmatisation and abuse of vulnerable children and women. That irrespective of family background, all citizens have fundamental right to be seen, educated, develop well, heard and achieve.

"This is a clear message to rouge pastors, greedy and selfish family members who will stop at nothing but to pursue their selfish interests at the expense of the vulnerable. It is significant stand for widows and orphans and the poor in our state. Akpabio, in his political era has shown his approval by the people. This is a practical step to the implementation of human and child rights in Akwa Ibom State," the respondent wrote.

For Ufot Inyang, the visit could only mean an unalloyed commitment to the plights of children. "I also want to sincerely commend Akpabio once again for his magnanimity. I thank him for listening. Symbols are very important in politics. His unscheduled visit to the centre today is very symbolic of his commitment to the plight of the children. The governor deserves commendation for this recent action on behalf of the most vulnerable of our society. We are comforted to know that he listens to public concerns.

"We thank him for listening and for taking a long overdue action with regard to the welfare of the CRARN children. They deserve to be treated with dignity and afforded a life free of basic want and insecurity. I thank the governor for the assurance of a decent education for these children, decent accommodation, expanded facilities, and to provide them with a fighting chance to make something out of their lives. I thank you Governor Akpabio for caring," Inyang said.

He said there was no reason, whatsoever, to doubt that Akpabio would follow through on the promises he has made to the children as well as the physical development and improvement of the facilities at CRARN. However, because laws were violated when the police from Lagos allegedly raided the centre, he urged the governor to direct the State Attorney General to get to the bottom of it, and make the culprits face the full wrath of that law.

"Please don't negotiate with Helen Ukpabio. Put her out of business at least in Akwa Ibom. She should not be allowed to prey on the fears of the people to commit havoc while smiling all the way to the bank. Thank you again governor. Thank you very much", he submitted.

Princi (prcrist@yahoo. com), writing from Florida, was particularly impressed that the governor probably read his suggestion the previous week and implemented same promptly. He added, "Rather than moving the children to another state-run orphanage, the governor appears to recognise the commendable work the CRARN staff is doing in providing a safe, loving, and close-knit environment for the children. So the governor has chosen to leave the children where they are, but pledged to financially and materially support CRARN. See, this is good policy, and the governor's leadership in this regard is well appreciated and applauded."

Though Tina Ubong Mbanugo (princessut@msn.com) tried so hard to refrain from what she called "the Akpabio Praise Team (APT)", she still could not resist "for a very worthy cause". According to the writer, "what Akpabio has done is great," but her concern was whether future governors would be as sensitive to continue in the same line.

In far away London, Gary Foxcroft, the Programme Director of Stepping Stones received the news with excitement. "This is a most welcome development after a rather challenging week", he said.

Hope Umana, Esq broke his long silence to declare that he was " impressed with the government's action, and further with the promptness of this current action". For him, the governor's direct donation to the managers of the centre would go a long way to alleviate the sufferings of the inmates. "It is my understanding that the governor's donation was to CRARN directly and that is a safe bet that Sam Itauma will use that for the direct service of the children and their needs, so the congratulation is appropriate. Donation to the direct service provider is usually a good bet", he said, urging government to investigate and make public those behind the Itaumas' recent ordeal in the hands of the police.

"Finally, this matter (child stigmatisation) needs continuing education, enlightenment and pressure. A tripod of pressure points from the state, the UK and US should continue in order to change mind-sets. The new AG should see this matter beyond the usual and comfortable legal framework and should not hold back in using state legal powers to create impact on this matter. The AG should understand that an effective government supports and works well with private actors and service providers. What is in the best interest of those children should define all our actions", he added.

For Ata Ikideh, the governor's visit should not be the end of the matter. Rather criticise government from the comfort of another man's land, Ikideh urges Akwa Ibomites abroad to team up and complement government's effort in assisting the deprived and abandoned children.

From California, Eno Adams another Akpabio critic, applauded the governor "for visiting the children to see about their welfare. I thank him also for his foresight in making plans to expand the centre so that these children who have bonded over time can continue to be in one place and not sent to be caged elsewhere, for that I am so delighted. Together with the administration I appeal that we continue to seek out what is in the best interest of these children". The writer, however, exonerated the state government from the recent attack at the CRARN centre, stating: "we knew all along the administration had no hand in what took place at the centre last week".