The Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem has intervened as a 1-day old baby abandoned under rain fall dies.
The Speaker had swiftly responded when he received a distress call from residents of Ikot Ishie community in the Calabar Municipality Council.
But before he arrived the scene unfortunately the baby had died.
The disturbing trend of infant abandonment in the Calabar metropolis has become worrisome.
Addressing a crowd of residents who gathered at the scene Friday morning, Speaker Ayambem expressed his deep concern over the loss of the innocent life and the growing rate of infant abandonment in the city.
In an emotion ladened speech, he said children are gifts from God and deserve the chance to live, grow, and flourish.
“This heartbreaking incident is a stark reminder of our collective responsibility to protect the most vulnerable members of our society.
“No child should ever have to face such a tragic fate,” Speaker Ayambem declared.
He called on the community to unite and take action to put an end to such dastardly acts.
He called for stricter penalties against individuals involved in such heinous acts of baby abandonment, stressing that stronger legal consequences would serve as a deterrent.
He believed that such will reduce the occurrence of the heart-wrenching incidents.
Residents present during the address expressed their appreciation for Speaker Ayambem’s quick response and his concern shown for the well-being of children.
The Speaker disclosed that was State House of Assembly considering legislative measures to address the crime of baby abandonment, saying the memory of the lost infant will continue to inspire action.
He reminded everyone of the inherent value of every life, especially the most vulnerable among us.