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The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has approved a full scholarship to little Miss Happiness Nwafor, the Enugu-born minor, who was brutally abused by her guardian, Mrs. Adachukwu Okafor who is based in Anambra State.
Declaring that the scholarship will pay for Miss Nwafor’s education from elementary school to university, the governor also approved of her ongoing rehabilitation to make sure her past experiences don’t affect her now or in the future.
The state government issued a warning that it would not tolerate any acts of violence or mistreatment of children by parents or guardians, as such criminal acts fall short of civilised norms and would be met with dire consequences. The government also expressed serious displeasure over the ongoing record of abuse of minors, who are typically used as house help.
The governor stated these in Enugu yesterday during the official handover of the rescued minor to the Enugu State Scholarship and Education Loan Board for proper documentation and continuation of her education.
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Mbah, who was represented by the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Ngozi Enih, said the scholarship would afford Miss Nwafor, a native of Umuanigo Clan, Enugu-Oweri in Awgu Local Government Area, the opportunity to pursue and fulfil her dreams in life.
Enih said: “The governor is very concerned about the welfare of citizens of the state through deliberate policies and programmes targeted at improving their well-being and also ensuring that their dignity are preserved.
“This is why the governor ordered that the minor be rescued from the claws of her guardian, who had been maltreating her. With the full rehabilitation and scholarship graciously awarded by the governor, Happiness is certain of living her dreams like other children.
“It’s also for the reason that no child should suffer deprivation that the governor is building world-class smart schools and has also declared basic education in the state, free and compulsory.
“The Child Rights and Responsibility Law of Enugu State is also in place to ensure that those who abuse our children face the full wrath of the law.”
On his part, the Head of Administration, Enugu State Scholarship and Education Loans Board, Mr. Peter Nkwuo, promised that the agency would give full effect to the governor’s directive as they had no excuse for failures.
He further commended the governor for the intervention, adding that the agency has been receiving huge support from the administration.
Also, Miss Happiness’ mother, Mrs. Nwanneka Anioke, who said she was traumatised on hearing about the incident, appreciated the philanthropic gesture of Governor Mbah towards her family and other families, saying the news of the scholarship and the ongoing rehabilitation for full recovery came as a huge relief to her entire family.
The sad incident was first reported on February 1, 2024, in a viral video, which attracted the attention of the Enugu State Government and prompted its immediate intervention to rescue the child in collaboration with the Anambra State Government where the incident occurred.
The minor, an 11-year-old girl, was living with an Anambra State-based lawyer, Mrs. Adachukwu Okafor, as a house help, who carried out the torture on her.
