Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, has offered scholarship to 11-year-old house help, Happiness Nwafor, who was allegedly brutalised by her madam, Adachukwu Okafor, in Anambra State.
The governor offered Nwafor a scholarship that would run up to university level.
Mbah’s kind gesture is contained in a statement by the Enugu State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Aka Eze Aka, on Tuesday in Enugu.
Okafor, a lawyer who resides in Onitsha, Anambra State, allegedly molested Happiness, whom she brought into her home in January 2024 after contacting her parents to help her get a child who would assist her with house chores.
She was reported to have inserted a hot knife into the minor’s private part and burned her face and buttock with a hot electric iron after accusing the victim of touching the private part of her eight-year-old daughter, while bathing her.
According to Aka, the report became a matter of grave concern to Mbah who had vowed even before the incident that no child should suffer such abuse, torture, neglect or denial, especially the right to sound education.
He added that it attracted the attention of the Enugu State House of Assembly which raised it as a matter of urgent Public Importance.
“As a result of this development, the Governor of Enugu State has graciously approved the rehabilitation and offer of scholarship up to University level to Miss Happiness Nwafor, a native of Umuanigo Clan, Enugu Oweri, Owelli Court Awgu LGA.
“She will now have the cost of rehabilitation and education up to University level borne by the Enugu State Government.
“Happiness Nwafor has been invited to the Ministry of Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Enugu State, for immediate realisation of His Excellency’s approval,” Aka said.
