Good news for Stepping Stones today after a bad week
Dear Friend,
Just to quickly update you with what is happening in Nigeria in response to the recent campaign of intimidation that has been launched against the CRARN Children and their carers.
In response to the international outrage that greeted this incident, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State,Godswill Akpabio, has visited the CRARN centre today and ensured the staff and children that there security and safety was guaranteed by the Akwa Ibom State Government. In addition to this the Governor has donated 10 Million Naira (around £40,000) and numerous other food items to CRARN and the children.
This is a most welcome development after a rather challenging week. However, the false charges that have been levelled against Sam Itauma and the CRARN Staff by Evangelist Helen Ukpabio remain a serious threat. Stepping Stones Nigeria and CRARN are currently working with our legal team to get a high court injunction and prevent Sam and the staff from having to travel to Lagos to face these charges. Hopefully this matter will be resolved in the next few days.
I would just like to extend my sincere thanks to you for the support that you have offered us during these rather challenging times. The fight against the abuse of child rights due to the belief in witchcraft is far from over but I believe today marks another very positive step forward in our efforts to protect and save the lives of the children that we work with.
With very best wishes,
Gary
--
Programme Director
Stepping Stones
Posts
2 comments:
Thank God for this. I do wonder though, if there wasn't a white guy front for this and such huge media interest, I wonder if the governor would have done anything. It's one thing to legislate, it's another to enforce. What are they doing about enforcement? Sigh
im glad there was no foot dragging. Akpabio unlike Ojo acts. I hear he is giving scholarships to all the kids til university. Is this true?
AKS is also meant to be putting in place a feeding programme for children in govt schools to reduce trafficking, child labour and some of the things that lead to child abandonment. If this happens or works the govt response is tackling some fundamental issues. If oh! If.
Post a Comment