By Aniefiok Christopher
A one-day conference to strengthen family-based care and support for vulnerable children in Akwa Ibom State has ended in Uyo with the resolution of stakeholders to highlight the need for community involvement in addressing the challenges faced by children in the State.
The conference on the theme, “Mobilizing Families for Alternative Care of Vulnerable Children” was organised by Street Mentors Network, in partnership with Theolight Global Foundation in Uyo on Saturday 26th September, 2026.
The Keynote Speaker, Justice Theresa Obot who spoke on the topic, “Every Child Deserves A Safe Family: The Law, Our Responsibility and the Way Forward” expressed concern about the rising number of vulnerable children, hence the need for innovative solutions to provide them with safe and healthy environments.
Justice Obot who is currently serving as a family court Judge at Etinan Division said every child deserves not just care and protection, but the chance to grow in a safe, loving and supportive family, as she traced the root causes of child abuse to issues of broken homes, poverty and poor parenting.
Speaking on a number of such cases of such cases she has handled before, the Judge said “Sometimes, children are better off at alternative homes than in their natural habitats, due largely to the rising cases of child abuse, torture and in some cases leading to fatality.
She therefore suggested effective strategies to enhance the structure of alternative care givers, need to strengthen families, while advocating for specialised family courts to handle cases of child abuse and speedy prosecution of offenders.
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Executive Director of Street Mentors Network, Ms Anita Michael said the goal of the conference was to create a collaborative framework for caregivers to share their experiences and learn from one another, with the view to ensuring that every child in the community receive the protection, care and support they deserve.
According to her, the conference was meant to identify barriers to effective care, while exploring community-driven initiatives that can foster a more supportive environment for vulnerable children in the State.
As an organisation, Anita Michael explained that the Street Mentors have since 2021 catered for scores of vulnerable children, who were taken off the street, with most of them offered scholarship through the support of their partners.
On her part, the Executive Director of Theolight Global Foundation, Mrs Helen Ubit said her organisation had has over the years been working with government and other partners to implement programmes that promote positive development within families and the community.
From experience, Mrs Ubit said youths who are isolated from their families, most times end up making wrong choices without guidance and accountability. She expressed optimism that participants at the conference will come up with ideas on how to mitigate the impact of poor parenting and the challenges of social development.
Chief Magistrate Helen Umanah, Akwa Ibom Chairperson, International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA) and a representative from Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Margaret Effiong in their separate remarks, commended the organisers of the conference, while promising both legal and moral support to enable them realise the vision in providing alternative care to the vulnerable children in the State.
The event climaxed with a panel discussion on the theme conference and the way forward. CSP Anthonia Udokpoh, Pastor Kingsley West and Bar. Ekaette Ikono were among other resource persons at the event.
