The Women Development Centre in Uyo was abuzz with activity on Monday, June 16, 2025, as officials, matron, children, and staff from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare gathered to commemorate the 2025 International Day of the African Child, themed “Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights: Progress Since 2010.”
The Honourable Commissioner for the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Inibehe Etukudo, emphasized the importance of prioritizing children’s welfare through deliberate planning and responsible budgeting and expressed gratitude to Governor Umo Eno for his commitment to children’s development with his implementation of the Child’s Rights Law, a policy that protects children from harmful societal practices, including rape, kidnapping, drug abuse, gender-based violence, and molestation.
Hon. Etukudo applauded the Governor for the educational policies in his ARISE Agenda that has invested in free and compulsory education in primary and secondary schools and the international exchange programmes which have exposed Akwa Ibom children to global best practices.
She acknowledged the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, for her support and contributions to educational and healthcare initiatives benefiting children across the state’s five government homes.
Reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to reducing disparities, promoting inclusivity, and protecting children from harmful practices, Hon. Etukudo reiterated that the needs of the children as a priority are included in the government planning process.
The Commissioner called on all stakeholders, development partners, civil society organizations, communities, and families to collaborate in prioritizing children’s rights in policy, budgeting, and community initiatives to ensure that a collective renewal of commitment to protecting children’s rights is embedded in every legal and financial framework.
Earlier in her tone setting, the Director of the Childs Department, Mrs. Diana Umana stated that the Day of the African Child was initiated by the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1991 to assess progress towards health, education, equality, and security for all African children following the Soweto Uprising in South Africa in 1976, where hundreds of black students were killed and over a thousand injured while protesting against inferior quality education.
During her presentation, Mrs Edima Ndaobong, a resource person for the event, reported that significant progress has been made at both the national and state levels regarding child rights planning and budgeting since 2010, highlighting key accomplishments to include, increased budgetary allocations to ministries responsible for children’s welfare, heightened awareness and reporting on child rights budgeting and planning, and the establishment of the Children’s Parliament.
While acknowledging the strides made, she pointed out that challenges remain in the planning and execution of child rights initiatives and called on all stakeholders to be committed to effective financial management, accountability and transparency in the use of public funds budgeted to promote children’s rights and welfare.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State Children’s Parliament, Hon. Rhoda Vincent; Deputy Chief Whip representing Eket Local Government Area, Hon. Success Kyrian, a child from Transit Camp, Miss Ndifreke Etim and a child from the Special Children’s Home, Miss Esther Friday, lauded the significant contributions made by different administrations in Akwa Ibom State toward addressing the challenges faced by children, including the continuation of free and compulsory education, perimeter fencing in public schools for safety, recruitment of qualified teachers, and the renovation and construction of new model schools.
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The children praised Governor Umo Eno for his initiatives for children across the state, including those in special homes by providing food and shelter and enabling them to celebrate this year’s International Day of the African Child.
They thanked Hon. Inibehe Etukudo for her love and support and urged non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to partner with the government to create a safe environment where every child can thrive.
The event featured the children’s Artwork Exhibition, folk songs by children from the Transit Camp Children’s Home, dance performances by the Okopumehe Cultural Troupe and the Mara Beat dance troupe from the Special Children’s Home.
