Boy allegedly accused of witchcraft concludes UNIUYO programme....see photo

Firstclass newsline learnt that one of the children saved from
witchcraft stigmatisation in Akwa Ibom State, Abasifreke Akpan, has
completed a pre-degree programme in Physics at the University of Uyo.
Akpan was stigmatised and driven out of home by his father following
complaints by a pastor and stepmother that he possessed witchcraftn
powers, having been initiated by a schoolmate.
He was rescued by Humanist Association for Peace and Social Tolerance
Advancement/Child Rights and Rehabilitation Network from a Mobil
filling station in Eket, Akwa Ibom State.
Firstclass newsline learnt that Akpan was reunited with his uncle
(who accepted him) on August 19, 2011 and has been living with him
since then with support from HAPSTA/CRARN.
The Projects Director, HAPSTA, Dr. Yemi Ademowo, said this in Eket on
Monday after meeting with some of the reunified children living in
Eket, Oron, Ikot-Abasi and environs with a view to monitoring the
reunification process.
"Part of HAPSTA's work is to follow-up (or monitor) the alleged
child-witches who have been reunited with their parents/guardians
after series of counseling sessions and signing of binding documents
in line with Child Rights Act of 2008, which prescribes 14 years jail
term for stigmatisers.
"The meeting had in attendance three of our reunified children (The
Champions) who had once lived at the HAPSTA/CRARN Centre for four to
six years, but are now reunified," he said.
The Programme Manager of HAPSTA, Mr. Ayobami Ojedokun, said Akpan was
one of the HAPSTA/CRARN children who got support from HAPSTA/CRARN to
write Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
Ojedokun added that Akpan's father died while he was still stigmatised
and that the only person that was available was his uncle, with whom
the organisation reunited him.
He said the other children included Eno-Abasi Charles and Utomobong
Sam, adding that Charles, 20 years old, was a former CRARN child, who
left the centre for her father, but now lives with her aged uncle.
He said, "She has received support from HAPSTA/CRARN. Sam is 20 years
old and was a former CRARN child. He is presently in Senior Secondary
School II.
"The centre has asked Sam to work with it on part-time basis with a
view to saving for his education. We also have other rescued children
who are seeking admission into higher institutions. There are some who
avail themselves of evening vocational classes."
Ojedokun said the three persons were being supported by Stigmatised
Children Rights Project through the Human Etisk Forbund, Norway Funds.
The beneficiaries and the programme manager have, however, called for
the extension of the programme.
Firstclassnewsline.net