WE MUST VERIFY ANYONE WHO WANTS TO ADOPT A CHILD — ANAMBRA COMMISSIONER INSISTS

Reporter : UCHE NDEKE

The Anambra State Government has called on members of the public to always follow laid down procedures set out for child adoption in the area.

The Commissioner for Social Welfare, Women’s and Children Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mezue, gave the advice while speaking with journalists in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area.

According to the Commissioner, the Ministry had developed a well articulated and transparent process that enables anyone who wishes to adopt a child to do so without running into wrong hands.

Mrs. Mezue was speaking against the backdrop of an alleged notorious child trafficker, Sabina Izuora, a Social Welfare Officer in the state, who was recently declared wanted by the Police Command in Anambra State.

The Commissioner said anyone intending to adopt a child must fill a form in the Ministry, after which a member staff of the Ministry would be sent to visit the person’s abode to verify its conducive nature to raise a child and the person’s source of living.

Mrs. Mezue noted that shortly after assuming office as a Commissioner, she reshuffled the Child Department for effective performance and service to the people.

According to the Commissioner, she also visited about forty-seven children’s homes in the state, which led to the closing of three homes because of irregularities, including child trafficking.