By Blessing Bassey
The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs has expressed readiness to strengthen advocacy and explore targeted interventions to improve the welfare and access to essential services for children with autism and other special needs.
The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Princess Emem Ibanga, stated this on Monday, October 5, 2026, while receiving a delegation from the Shifrah for Children with Special Needs Foundation on a courtesy visit to the ministry in Uyo.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Eno Akpan, Princess Ibanga said the engagement had given the ministry a deeper understanding of the needs and challenges confronting children living with autism and other developmental conditions.
She said the ministry would review the information presented by the Foundation and identify areas where it could contribute to improving the welfare of the children and easing the burden on their families.
The Commissioner noted that the State Government has continued to provide interventions for vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, senior citizens, pregnant women and children under five, adding that the engagement provided an opportunity to further strengthen and expand support for children with special needs based on their peculiar needs.
She explained that children under five in the state enjoy free healthcare services, while pregnant women also benefit from the free healthcare programme of the state government. She therefore urged parents and caregivers of children with special needs to take advantage of available interventions, including enrolment in the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Scheme.
The Commissioner also highlighted the state’s partnership with development organisations, including UNICEF, in healthcare and nutrition interventions for women and children, noting that existing structures could provide useful platforms for extending support to children with special needs.
She said the engagement had further broadened the ministry’s understanding of autism and the challenges associated with caring for children on the autism spectrum. According to her, the Foundation’s submissions would help the ministry make a stronger case for targeted government interventions where necessary.
Earlier, the Founder and Board of Trustees of Shifrah for Children with Special needs Foundation, Mrs. Rosemary Udofia, represented by the Foundation’s Educationist, Mr. Isaac Sam, said the organisation, established on December 20, 2025, had been mobilising and supporting children with autism and other special needs across communities in Akwa Ibom.
Mr. Sam disclosed that about 12 children were currently enrolled at the Foundation’s centre, where they receive education, care and skills development aimed at helping them become independent and responsible members of society.
He said many children with autism and related disabilities still faced neglect, abandonment and stigma because of limited awareness and understanding among parents and members of the community.
The team lead further appealed for a partnership with the ministry to strengthen community mobilisation, sensitisation and orientation on autism and related disabilities, particularly to help parents identify, understand and appropriately support children with special needs.
He added that the proposed partnership would support activities marking the World Autism Awareness Day and other initiatives aimed at promoting inclusion and improving the wellbeing and future prospects of children with autism and related disabilities.
Also speaking, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital Marketing and Social Media, Mr. Uduak Inwang, who is a partner of the Foundation, thanked the ministry for granting the organisation an audience and providing a platform for advocacy on autism and other developmental conditions.
Mr. Inwang called for increased public awareness to dispel misconceptions that persons with autism and other developmental conditions were cursed or under supernatural influence. He stressed that they require proper diagnosis, care and support, and appealed to the ministry to help widen the message across communities.
He disclosed that 12 children had been supported since the centre commenced operations, while 80 caregivers had been trained and 26 students from tertiary institutions had undertaken internships at the Shifrah Autism Centre, located at Emmanuel Udehe Street, Ifa Ikot Akpabio, Uyo Local Government Area.
Also speaking, Virtue Mbono, a Special Education Specialist and team member, said the Foundation catered for children with diverse needs, including autism, cerebral palsy, hearing impairment, intellectual disabilities and learning difficulties. She stressed that each child required an individualised approach based on their abilities and strengths, adding that the Foundation focuses on identifying and nurturing talents in areas such as drawing, colouring, technical activities and problem-solving.
Mbono appealed for government support to expand the Foundation’s interventions and provide tailored assistance to the children, stressing that disability should not limit their potential or opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the society.
Also present at the meeting were the Head of Accounts, Dr Eti-mfon Ndon; Head of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Aniekan Akpan; and other members of the Foundation.
