The Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah has approved full scholarship for little Miss Happiness Nwafor, the Enugu-born minor, who was brutally abused by her Anambra-based guardian and lawyer, Mrs Adachukwu Okafor.
Apart from the scholarship that would cover Miss Nwafor’s studies from primary to university level, the governor also approved her continuous rehabilitation to ensure that her experience does not impede her present or future.
The State Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Ngozi Enih announced the package on behalf of Governor Mbah 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.
Enih said the scholarship would afford the 11-year-old 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 and expressed the state government’s serious displeasure over the incessant abuse of minors, who are usually used as house-help.
The commissioner warned that the state government would not tolerate acts of violence and maltreatment of children by parents and guardians as such criminal and uncivilized acts would be met with dire consequences.
The Head of Administration, Enugu State Scholarship and Education Loans Board, Peter Nkwuo, promised that the agency would give full effect to the governor’s directive as they had no excuse for failure and commended him for the huge support he has been giving to the agency.
Also speaking, the mother of the brutalized minor, 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, describing the news of the scholarship and the ongoing rehabilitation 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, prompting its immediate intervention to rescue the child in collaboration with the government of Anambra State where the incident occurred.