Aniefiok Christopher
A Non-Governmental Organisation known as the Street Mentors Network (S.M.N) has urged Akwa Ibom Government to end the criminalisation of street-connected children and strengthen child protection rights in the state.
The Executive Director of Street Mentors Network, Miss Anita Michael made the call in Uyo during a press briefing and shareholders’ engagement marking the 2026 International Day of Street Children on the theme: Protect, Don’t Punish.
According to her, the International Day of Street Children is not just a day of awareness, but a call to conscience and to remind all that street-connected children are not invisible, nor their rights optional, but their future is worth fighting for.
Speaking further, she said ‘‘Justice for these children means protection from abuse, access to education, safe shelter and care, and opportunities to grow and thrive,” stresing the need for government to invest in education, shelter and reintegration programmes.
Also read: NGO Rescues, Enrols seven vulnerable boys in Akwa Ibom schools
The Executive Director insisted that the street children have undergone pains, hunger and rejection for no fault of theirs, but as a result of failed systems, circumstances and the society.
The reality, according to her, is that these children find themselves on the streets due largely to poverty and family instability, abuse and neglect, lack of access to education and as a result of harmful cultural beliefs and stigmatisation.
“Instead of protection, many of these children encounter harassment and criminalisation, violence and exploitation, denial of basic rights and opportunities, hence the need for this year’s theme: Protect, Don’t Punish, because no child should be treated as a criminal for trying to survive.”
“We believe that every child deserves a second chance. So in 2025 alone, we’ve supported 530 children through various interventions, provided shelter and care for 12 vulnerable children, returned 25 children back to school, reached 350 girls through empowerment programmes, trained 105 young people in vocational skills, engaged 25 boys through sports mentorship and thousands of others reached through advocacy campaigns.”
To achieve meaningful results, the Street Mentors Network is calling on community heads and traditional rulers to reject harmful labels and beliefs, protect children, their communities, report cases of abuse and neglect. The NGO also called on the media to tell stories that matter, amplify voices that are often ignored, shift the narrative from blame to protection and to support evidence-based interventions.
Other stakeholders at the media parley included S.P Bala Nike, a Police Superintendent in-charge of Child Trafficking and Child Theft, Ms Joy Ubong, the Executive Director of Youth For Change Initiative and Mr John Umoh, the State Coordinator of Child Protection Network.
The trio, in their separate remarks, commended the management of Street Mentors Network for their endeavours in protecting the rights of street children and collaborating S.M.N’s view that children protected today, will bring about a secure future tomorrow.
Master Churchill Hogan, one of the beneficiaries of the NGO, was full of appreciation to Miss Anita Michael and S.M.N Programme Manager, Prince Nyong and others for rescuing from the pawns of the street and granting him and others at the organisation a new lease of life.
The Programme Manager, Prince Nyong thanked the media and stakeholders, and called on all to join hands with them in protecting the rights and dignity of children in street situations, while allowing the children the opportunity to thrive.
