http://politicstoday.com.ng/2017/02/16/akwa-ibom-land-of-promise-or-the-home-of-smallie-witches/

Abayomi G. Omotayo
Twitter: @AbayomiGOmotayo

I have heard and read horrific stories of child abuse but the one that top the list in my heart is the story of a frail looking, hunger ravaged, cadaverous little boy in Akwa Ibom that came to limelight on 30 January, 2016. Accused of witchcraft and abandoned by his family, he lived on the streets for eight months, survived on scraps and unprotected from the elements. He was naked, stark naked. He was just two years old. This little boy was found by Danish aid worker Anja Ringgren Loven. A year on, this boy’s life has changed. From hopelessness to hope which indicatively is the name he is now being called. That re-christening aptly fits. Now well fed, chubby and looking very healthy. She recently shared his picture on his first day of schooling. That picture, contrasted with the one she took a year ago, side by side would be a strong contender for the Pulitzer Price for Photography.

Sadly in Akwa Ibom not much has changed in terms of these horrific cases of abuse under the guise of the children being labeled as witches. Just few days ago, another boy was rescued on the streets by the same lady one year after the popular case of Hope. The only thing that perhaps has changed is that unlike before when these vulnerable children are abandoned on the streets after gross abuse, they can now find succor with Ms. Loven. But this is not enough, it glaringly indicates that the society and the government have failed and continues to fail these children. These incidents should not even occur in the first instance. Lest we forget, these children are protected by law particularly the Child Rights Act 2003 enacted into law by the National Assembly. Interestingly, Akwa Ibom is among the states that have domesticated the law but it appears that the law is only effective on paper.

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