ENUGU DEPUTY MINORITY LEADER, ENEH COMMENDS GOV. MBAH ON SCHOLARSHIP, REHABILITATION OFFER TO ABUSE VICTIM, HAPPINESS NWAFOR

ENUGU DEPUTY MINORITY LEADER, ENEH COMMENDS GOV. MBAH ON SCHOLARSHIP, REHABILITATION OFFER TO ABUSE VICTIM, HAPPINESS NWAFOR

Published by JANE-CARESTV, Tuesday March 19, 2024.

The Deputy Minority leader of the Enugu State House of Assembly and Member representing Awgu North Constituency, Rt. Hon. Mrs Jane Eneh has commended the Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah on his offer of scholarship and rehabilitation to the abused victim, Miss Happiness Nwafor. 

This was contained in a letter dated 13th March 2024, addressed to the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development in the state, and signed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Victor Udeh Esq, shared to the Deputy Minority leader through the Clerk of Enugu State House of Assembly, Dr. Emma Udaya, conveying the State Government's approval of rehabilitation and award of scholarship from Primary Education to University level for Happiness Nwafor, the 11-year-old girl that was brutalized by her guardian, one Mrs Adachukwu Cukelu-Okafor, an Onitsha based lawyer, now at large. As contained in the letter, the state Scholarship Board, as well as Ministry of Information and Communication were put in copy and also directed to see to the implementation of the approval with immediate effect. The Ministry of Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development in the state, by this directive has contacted the family of Miss Happiness Nwafor to come to their office for necessary documentation. 

Happiness Nwafor, in a viral video, that circulated the media space sometimes in February, with gory iron-stamp burns all over her body, allegedly inflicted on her by her guardian, hails from Awgu local government area of Enugu State. 

The news of the demeaning and grievous injuries inflicted on the 11-year-old girl, went viral on social media, drawing the attention of the public when "after maltreating the maid, the guardian, a mother of three, a legal practitioner and a pastor in a local church sent the girl back to one Mrs Ifeoma Muoghalu, a resident of Nkpor, who is said to be her aunt and the middle person that made the arrangement for the girl to be given out as a live-in maid."

Responding swiftly to a distressing case of child abuse involving an Enugu indigene, the wife of the Enugu State governor, Mrs Nkechinyere Ihuoma Mbah directed the State Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs, and Social Development, Mrs Ngozi Enih to lead a delegation from the Ministry to Anambra, to collaborate with her counterpart, the Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Ify Obinabo in addressing the issue. 

During the visit, the Enugu State Government gave financial support to the little girl in the hospital where she was receiving treatment and assured her of the state government's commitment in ensuring her well-being and intervention on justice to be served.

In line with the Enugu state government's commitment to protecting and defending its indigenes both home and abroad, as well as the administration's policy on prioritizing education, among others, Gov. Mbah announced the state government decision to take up the rehabilitation/well-being of Miss Happiness Nwafor, as well as an award of scholarship up to the university level. 

Appreciating the efforts of the Honourable Minister for Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, and the Anambra State Commissioner for women affairs and social welfare, Mrs Ify Obinabo in the apprehending and prosecuting of the fleeing guardian, the deputy minority leader encourage them to continue to make the women proud through their positions. 

Thanking Gov. Mbah, over the good news received, the deputy minority leader said, "Gov. Mbah is known for his keen insight into the well-being of the people he serves. Acknowledging Gov. Mbah's remarkable efforts in various spheres, including youth employment, empowerment, agricultural revamp, building of smart schools, road construction, provision of clean water, and most notably, education, the deputy minority leader said "Our governor is God's gift to Ndi Enugu."

"On behalf of Awgu Local Government, the good people of Awgu North, Happiness Nwafor and family, I say a big 'thank you' to His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for the state government's concern and intervention," the deputy minority leader stated. 

Adding further, the deputy minority leader commended the wife of the governor, Mrs Nkechinyere Ihuoma Mbah, for all the roles she played since the news of the little girl's abuse surfaced on the internet. She prayed God to reward her abundantly for all her selfless services to humanity. 

God bless Enugu State! 

Our long-awaited tomorrow is truly here!!

#OkolikeMichael

Media Assistant to the Deputy Minority Leader ENHA.