ANAMBRA WARNS ORPHANAGE HOMES AGAINST CHILD TRAFFICKING, ILLEGAL ADOPTION

By Stella Anekwe

The Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Chinyere Esther Onyekesi, has warned registered orphanage homes against child trafficking, illegal adoption and the sale of babies, saying offenders would face prosecution and possible jail terms.

Speaking on Aug. 4 during a meeting with leaders of the Association of Registered Community Children’s Homes in Awka, Onyekesi said the state government would not tolerate activities capable of undermining its commitment to child protection. She urged operators to shun all forms of illegality, maintain proper documentation and ensure transparency in their operations.

The commissioner advised members of the public seeking adoption or child welfare services to deal only with officials of the ministry’s Child Development Department. She also announced that the ministry would conduct unscheduled inspections of children’s homes to ensure compliance with government regulations.

Responding, the association’s Chairperson, Mrs Ngozi Helen Eze, thanked the commissioner for the engagement, apologised for past infractions by some operators and pledged members’ commitment to government regulations.

Eze appealed for government support in logistics and welfare to strengthen the operations of registered children’s homes. She also pledged the association’s support in identifying and eliminating illegal and unregistered homes, which she described as major drivers of child trafficking and unlawful adoption in the state.

Also speaking, the association’s Secretary and Coordinator of Model Children’s Home, Awka, Rev. Sr. Akuchukwu Philomena Chikodili, condemned backdoor adoption practices, saying they frustrate genuine adoption by qualified prospective parents. She urged members to uphold ethical standards and avoid actions capable of tarnishing the reputation of registered children’s homes.

The Director of Sickle Cell Orphanage and Underprivileged Home, Agulu, Mrs Aisha Edwards Maduagwu, described orphanage work as a humanitarian service rather than a profit-making venture. She urged operators and ministry officials to expose unethical practices and work together to safeguard the state’s reputation.

Earlier, the Head of the Child Development Department in the ministry, Mrs Amaka Onyali, called for stronger collaboration between the ministry and registered children’s homes. She directed all homes to submit monthly returns ahead of quarterly inspections and pledged to strengthen compliance with child protection regulations.

Stella Anekwe is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State