Nigeria, Sept. 29 -- A judge of the Akwa Ibom State High Court, Theresa Obot, has called on the state government to establish a comprehensive database of children in alternative care and regularly monitor their welfare to prevent abuse and exploitation.

Mrs Obot made the call on Saturday in Uyo while delivering the keynote address at the Akwa Ibom Alternative Care Conference organised by Street Mentors Network.

Alternative care for children refers to the care and protection provided to a child who cannot, temporarily or permanently, live safely with their biological or usual family.

It includes arrangements such as kinship care, foster care, guardianship, family-based care, and, where necessary, residential or institutional care. The p...