Enugu State governor, Dr. Peter Mbah has approved full scholarship to little Miss Happiness Nwafor, the Enugu-born minor, who was brutally abused by her Anambra-based guardian, Mrs Adachukwu Okafor.
Newspot recalls that Okafor, a lawyer, was remanded by a Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court, sitting at the Chief Magistrate Court, Awka.
Okafor was accused of using sharp objects to injure the girl’s private part over some domestic chores she failed to do.
She had a day earlier appeared before the Anambra State commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, and had claimed that the girl only injured herself while trying to run away from being flogged.
She had previously been declared wanted by the minister of women’s affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, and a bounty of N2 million placed on her head, before she later turned herself in at a police station in Awka.
Speaking on Wednesday, Mbah said the scholarship would cover Miss Nwafor’s studies from primary to university levels.
He equally approved her continuous rehabilitation to ensure that her experience does not impede her present or future.
This was even as the state government expressed serious displeasure over the incessant record of abuse of minors, who are usually used as house-help, warning that it would not tolerate acts of violence and maltreatment of children by parents and guardians as such criminal acts fall short of civilised norms and would be met with dire consequences.
The governor stated these in Enugu on Wednesday 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.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Ngozi Enih, said the scholarship would afford Miss Happiness Nwafor, a native of Umuanigo Clan, Enugu Oweri in Awgu Local Government Area the opportunity to pursue and fulfil her dreams in life.
“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, Miss 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,” Mrs. Enih stated
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.
It is recalled that 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 Anambra State government where the incident occurred.
The minor, an 11 year old, was living with an Anambra-based lawyer, Mrs. Adachukwu Okafor, as a house help, who carried out the torture on her.
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