FOLLOW THE LAW IN ADOPTING BABIES & OPERATING MOTHERLESS HOMES— ENUGU COMMISSIONER

REPORTER: EMEFIENA OKONKWO

Enugu State Government says couples and individuals that intend to foster or adopt a child must apply through the Ministry of Gender Affairs and Social Development with strict adherence to the provisions of the Child Rights Act.

The Commissioner for Gender Affairs and Social Development, Princess Peace Nnaji, Stated this in a media briefing, at the end of a high powered conference of the Enugu State Fostering and Adoption Committee in Enugu.

Princess Nnaji, who stressed that “anyone or couple who goes contrary to the stipulated guidelines would be made to face the full wrath of the law, including prosecution,” pointing out that the law against illegal motherless babies homes and orphanages in Enugu State was still in force.

The Commissioner while commending the state governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi,and the Enugu State Assembly for passing into law and giving ascent to the Child Rights Act, noted that members of the state’s Fostering and Adoption Committee were men and women with proven intergrity, committed to child safety and development.

Also, the Chairman of the committee and Anglican Archbishop of Enugu Province, the Most Reverend Emmanuel Chukwuma, noted that the committee in collaboration with the state government and hospitals had succeeded in checking the selling of babies.

The Most Rev. Chukwuma emphasized that selling of babies and illegal adoption were crimes against God and humanity and must be stopped.

The high powered conference had in attendance members of the State’s Fostering and Adoption committee, which included Professor Peter Ebigbo; Igwe Emmanuel Nnamchi; the Zonal Commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mrs. Nneka Ajie; representatives of the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese: the Police; the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps; as well as some top management staff of the Enugu State Ministry of Gender Affairs and Social Development.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU