Governor Mbah Grants Full Scholarship to Abused Minor, Vows Zero Tolerance for Child Maltreatment
Enugu Governor, Peter Mbah, offers full scholarship to Happiness Nwafor, victim of severe abuse, reaffirming the state's commitment to protect children from maltreatment.
Mary Nwaeze 
Enugu Governor, Peter Mbah, has taken a bold stance against child abuse by offering a full scholarship to Happiness Nwafor, the Enugu-born minor who suffered severe physical abuse at the hands of her guardian in Anambra state. The move comes after a harrowing incident in February 2024, where a lawyer, Adachukwu Okafor, was remanded for allegedly maltreating her 11-year-old maid.
Okafor's actions, which involved using a broken bottle, knife, and electric iron to inflict injuries on the maid, shocked the nation. The court's decision to order her remand shed light on the urgent need to protect vulnerable children from such atrocities.
Governor Mbah, speaking through Ngozi Enih, the commissioner for children, gender affairs, and social development, emphasized the importance of offering Nwafor the chance to pursue her dreams through education. The scholarship, which covers her studies from primary to university levels, symbolizes the state's commitment to ensuring a brighter future for its youth.
Furthermore, Governor Mbah reaffirmed Enugu State's zero-tolerance policy towards child maltreatment. He stressed that such acts are not acceptable in a civilized society and will be met with severe consequences. This sentiment is echoed in the state's child rights and responsibility law, which ensures that perpetrators face the full force of the law.
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The governor's proactive approach to addressing child abuse extends beyond this case. Enugu State is actively investing in world-class smart schools and has made basic education free and compulsory. These measures aim to provide all children with access to quality education and protect them from the cycle of abuse and deprivation.
Nwanneka Anioke, the mother of the rescued minor, expressed her profound gratitude to Governor Mbah for his philanthropic gesture. She stated that the scholarship and ongoing rehabilitation efforts for her daughter have brought immense relief to their entire family.
Governor Mbah's decisive action serves as a beacon of hope for victims of child abuse everywhere, sending a clear message that their voices will be heard and justice will be served. As Enugu State continues to prioritize the welfare of its citizens, it sets a precedent for other regions to follow in the fight against child maltreatment.
