As the world set to mark the 2024 International day of the Boy Child, the Cross River state government has demanded more support in educational advancement, nutritional supplement among others from her development partners.
The call was made by the state commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Edema Irom, during a media chat heralding the International Day of the Boy Child, the National Childrens’ Day as well as the Day of the African Child, held yesterday in Calabar.
National Compass reports that the International Day of the Boy Child is commemorated globally on May 16, every year.
This year’s event with the theme: ‘Health and Well-being of the Boy child’, according to the commissioner, is significant in order to remind parents of the need to ensure the proper care of every boy child so that they don’t go astray as well as become victim of abuses.
Irom said it is the collective responsibilities of both the parents and government to cater for the well-being of the boy child because they are also vulnerable to all manner of violence, abuse and molestations.
The commissioner assured that the governor Bassey Otu’s led administration will not renege in her responsibility to create the enabling environment including the provision of high quality education and nutritional supplement for every child in the state to succeed.
She, however, noted that the government cannot do it alone, hence, the need for effective collaboration with development partners, especially in the areas of education, nutrition, health, social protection among others.
“The Ministry of Women Affairs which has the mandate of protecting the lives of women and children, shall work round the clock through the support of his excellency, the executive governor of Cross River state, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu and his dear wife, who has supported us so far in touching the lives of our children with various interventions.
“We’re asking for more support in the areas of education, nutrition, health, social protection, response to sexual and gender based violence, birth registration, climate change issues, water, hygiene, sanitation and other sectors. We shall engage with all these sectors to make this a reality”, she partly stated in a press release.
Meanwhile, the representative of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs’) at the event, Mrs. Ndodeye Bassey, has expressed the readiness of her group to support every developmental initiative of the state government.
While harping on the need for data accuracy in every endeavor, she disclosed that the CSOs may not have the needed financial wherewithal to support, but the state government can always count on her expertise to drive her peoples’ first oriented programmes.
Bassey, who said more was needed in the area of education in order to disabuse the minds of street children and their sponsors, applauded the government for her creative approach towards addressing the menace in the state.
According to her: “We have seen a lot of positive things happening in the ministry and we are ready to partner with you.
“An uninformed girl spreads disease while an uniformed boy spreads both disease and violence in the society. We may not have the money to support you, but we have the technical expertise to support.”
The event which featured an interactive session among critical stakeholders in the state, also had in attendance the deputy speaker, Cross River state Childrens’ Parliament, Master Osika Etim, who presented a goodwill message.
