Devcom Researcher Advocates Establishment Of Child Rights Protection Agency

University Don, author and Development Communication Researcher, Dr. Ukam Ngwu, Esq

A Development Communication (Devcom) Researcher with Biase in Child Rights promotion and protection, Dr. Ukam Ngwu has urged the Cross River State government to set up a distinct agency for the protection of the rights of children in the state.

Ukam stated this as part of his recommendation in a research titled "Development Communication inquiry into the causes of child neglect, street children and media coverage in Cross River State".

The widely published Communication Scholar who is a Lecturer in the department of Mass Communication, Cross River University of Technology said that such special agency if established would look into issues bothering on child abuses, neglects, abandonment and street children with the view to properly addressing them.

According to him, "Child abuses and neglect is a cankerworm ravaging the society today and has contributed adversely to shattered dreams and future of most Nigerian children. This constitutes a big threat to societal growth and development as such poses serious development communication challenges. 

My finding has revealed that poverty, superstitious beliefs, broken marriages, polygamous homes, illiteracy, child labour and high rate of unemployment are causes of child neglect and abandonment; a precursor for street children". 

He also noted that his findings further revealed that there is a low coverage and negative branding of the street children as criminals by the media in the state which is denying them the appropriate support from government and wealthy individuals in the society". 

Ukam who is also a lawyer recommended that "Mass media, government and Non-governmental agencies’ interventions are highly recommended by way of promoting and protecting child’s rights through advocacy campaigns, enactment of laws and implementing existing ones.

"I want to also call on the Governor of Cross River State, Sir Ben Ayade to as a matter of urgent public interest establish a distinct government agency to be called Cross River Child Rights Promotion and Protection Agency to see to the welfare of street children".