Mrs. Akpabio intensifies advocacy against child theft and baby factories

 The wife of S.S.G. Mrs. Martha Emmanuel presenting wrapper and cash gift to a widow at Qua Iboe Church, Nung Ukot, Itam while the wife of Akwa Ibom governor, watches during an advocacy on Child theft, trafficking and baby factories 

...Felicitates with Rev. Ekpenyong at 80, Barr.  Enoidem as he hits gold

As part of her sensitization efforts in churches on proliferation of vices such as child theft, kidnapping and baby factories in the country, the wife of the Akwa Ibom State governor, Ekaette Unoma Akpabio over the weekend embarked on sensitization visits to the Presbyterian Church, Wellington Bassey Way, Power City International Chapel and Qua Iboe Church, Ikot Oku Ikono, all in Uyo capital city.

The first port of call for the governor’s wife and her team was the Presbyterian Church where their visit coincided with the 80th birthday celebration and fifty years in marriage of His Eminence Rev. Dr. Udo Ekpenyong. In her remarks, Mrs. Akpabio while thanking God for the life of the octogenarian enjoined him to share the secrets of his marriage with the younger generation so as to build a better society. “Teach us how you did it so we all can learn from it. At 80 years of age and 50 years in marriage, papa you still look younger than some of us. This can only be the Lord’s doing. For some of us that want to marry our husbands for fifty years and above, we can only rejoice with you so we can share in your blessing” Mrs. Akpabio enthused.

She frowned at the level of broken marriages currently seen today in our society saying people like Prelate Ekpenyong should serve as role model to the younger generations.

The Governor’s wife warned that child theft, trafficking and baby factories are on the rise, calling on parents to be on the lookout for predators. She appealed to the congregation, not to be enticed with the juicy offers of criminals, adding that some mothers fall prey to this trap out of sheer negligence. Mrs. Akpabio thereafter donated 40 wrappers and cash gifts to widows in the church, while calling on the church to always pray for Nigeria’s president and the state governor, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, and for peaceful transition in the state as the 2015 general elections approaches. 

The wife of Akwa Ibom governor, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio with a cross section of Qua Iboe Church children, Nung Ukot Itam during an advocacy on Child theft, trafficking and baby factories

Responding, the Prelate of the church, Most Rev. Prof. Emele Uka appreciated the governor’s wife and her entourage for the visit describing it as a blessing to the church. He said all the projects carried out by the wife of governor through her non-governmental organization, Family Life Enhancement Initiative were of interest to the church, calling on Mrs. Akpabio not to relent in her call to serve humanity. Most Rev. Uka offered prayers for the nation, the governor and Her Excellency’s entourage.

At the Power city International, Uyo, Mrs. Akpabio sensitization visit also coincided with thanksgiving service for the golden jubilee celebration of Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, Hon. Commissioner for Special Duties.  The governor’s wife appreciated God’s faithfulness on the life of Barr. Enoidem describing him as an engine room in the uncommon transformation programme in the state. She condemned the dastardly acts of child theft, kidnapping and abuse currently on the rise in the country, and enjoined parents and guardians to be alert and sensitive to the welfare of their children.

At the Qua Iboe Church, Nung Ukot Itam with her advocacy team, a member of Mrs. Akpabio’s team and wife of the secretary to the state government Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel charged the congregation to be aware of the ongoing onslaught on children especially the girls, noting that child theft, trafficking and baby factories are crimes against humanity and that all hands need to be on deck to fight these vices.

Mrs. Udom observed that children are blessings from God and tasked parents to look after their children rather than fall prey criminals who come with enticing offers for their children. She urged parents to take advantage of the free and compulsory education instituted by the administration of Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio.

Thanking the wife of governor and her team for the visit, the chairman of the church council, Elder Imo Okon lauded the wife of the governor for promoting the welfare of children, women, widows and orphans. He thereafter took the governor’s wife on a tour to inspect a community library project executed by the church.

Mrs. Akpabio’s advocacy train also took her to a retreat by the the Redeemed Christian Church at Udoaka Primary School, Ikot Ekpene, where she warned Christian women to remember that children come with a responsibility from God to care for and protect them. Responding, the guest speaker, Rev. (Dr) Uma Ukpai said Mrs. Akpabio’s campaign was a divine calling and warned the perpetrators of child theft and baby factories to desist from their dastardly acts or face the wrath of the Holy Spirit.