SOS for children’s advocate

By Victor Ekpuk September 26, 2010 02:58AMT

For a long time, I have followed the unfortunate human tragedy, the abuse, killing and destitution of children accused of witchcraft in Akwa Ibom State.

I am a native of Ikot Afagha Idung Ukpa, a small village in Eket where the Child Rights And Rehabilitation Network Centre, which caters for the abandoned and rescued children, is situated. As a result of this so-called “Child Witch” phenomenon, that village has, of recent, been the focus of world media attention. Yet, I am proud of the kind-heartedness of my townspeople. I am particularly proud of Samuel Ikpe Itauma, the proprietor of CRARN for his forthrightness and magnanimity, for it takes a special human being to take on the burdens of other people’s children.

When I first learnt about this tragedy, the most that I could do was to offer my property free of charge to shelter the children until CRARN found a permanent site. With the help of UNICEF, Bristol Helicopters and Stepping Stones Nigeria and the generous contributions by anonymous donors, and, yes, initial support of the state government, many of the abused, abandoned and stigmatised children of Akwa Ibom State now have a safe place in a community that recognizes their humanity.

On August 25th and 26th 2010, CNN aired a special about the abuse of “Witch Children” in Nigeria. To my utter surprise, the state governor, Godswill Akpabio, who was interviewed for the programme, stated that the whole story is a scam and an exaggerated attempt to embarrass his government and paint a bad image of Akwa Ibom State.

Later in a radio address, the governor announced, to the distress of many, plans to put the police on surveillance around the CRARN compound.

Two days later armed men invaded Ikot Afagha village and shattered its peace. They shot firearms in front Sam Itauma’s residence and at the CRARN Centre where the children stay. They left the residents, particularly the already traumatized children, in shock. I recall that in the wake of the first international media exposé of the so-called “child witch” phenomenon by the BBC, suspected assassins went to CRARN in search of Sam Itauma and in the process they beat up some of the children and made away with Sam’s computer and digital camera.

Judging by the ongoing spate of kidnappings and assassinations in Akwa Ibom today, I fear for the lives of Sam Itauma of CRARN and Gary Foxcroft of Stepping Stones Nigeria, a partner NGO. As I write, Sam Itauma has gone into hiding. And in his absence, gloom hangs over the CRARN Centre. The children who call him “Uncle Sam” are fearful of their fate if the current situation worsens and the Centre, their only hope for their protection from the dangers of life on the streets, is forced to close.

It is interesting to note that the same governor who visited the Centre a while ago and expressed his support is now apparently unconcerned about the children’s wellbeing. So far the state government has not provided evidence of any breach of the law by Sam Itauma and Garry Foxcroft to warrant treating them like enemies of the state.

On my last visit home, in April 2010, I conducted an art workshop with the children at CRARN. I noticed that the goodwill of donors have been put to good use. For instance, there is a hostel for girls built with funds from UNICEF, another hostel donated by Bristol Helicopters was under construction, and more land has been acquired around to provide vocational training and accommodation for increasing numbers of rescued children.

There is a school and a few volunteer teachers, administrators and a counselor. The children, in spite of the physical and emotional scars inflicted on them looked healthy and cheerful, though most told me of their desire to go back home. The counselor on the staff helps to counsel parents and reunite some of them with their children. With the help donors inside and outside Nigeria, the children are getting education, food, shelter and medical care.

This September, Suomi Sakai, Nigeria’s UNICEF Representative commissioned a new building donated by UNICEF.

In light of the above, all people of good conscience in the media, governments and human rights groups must intercede and encourage Governor Akpabio to pursue dialogue instead of coercion as means of conflict resolution.

Governor Akpabio said on CNN that he has five children; if he were to see the vulnerable children at CRARN Centre as his own, he should surely realise that they need his protection not his wrath. As the chief executive of the state, the governor must do everything within his powers to ameliorate the lives of children in whose hands lie Akwa Ibom State’s future.

Victor Ekpuk is a Nigerian visual artist who currently resides in the United States.