—withdraws certificate
From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Onitsha
Anambra state Government yesterday ordered the immediate closure of the Christian Relief Com-passionate/Motherless Babies Home, Obosi Idemmili North Local Government Area over missing baby in their care.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Lady Henrietta Agbata who announced this in a statement said the Ministry is dismayed with a situation a baby boy under the care of the home got missing without any reason.
Agbata explained that Motherless babies Homes/ Orphanages are Child Care Institution where children in need of care , attention and protection are kept temporarily before being united with their kit and keen and wondered the agony and feelings of the parents that brought the missing child.
She therefore ordered the withdrawal of their certificate of Registration within the next 72 hours from the date of the receipt of the letter of withdrawal.
The statement went further to direct the home to inform parents and guardians of children in their home to collect their wards/ children pending when their certificate of registration will be restored back to them.
The Women Affairs Commissioner frowns at homes selling off babies in their care or giving room for disappearance of babies and warned that any staff found to be culpable of aiding and abetting the sale of babies or kidnapping of babies overtly or covertly would regret his or her involvement as a full scale investigation have been ordered into the mess.
The statement signed on behalf of the commissioner by Director Child Development, Mr Emeka Ejide MWASD/CD/066/T/1 further informed that the ministry has zero tolerance for sale and disappearance of babies in homes.
On a visit to the home , the Proprietor was not on hand but it appears the home is still on full operation despite the order yesterday as he was said to have gone to Awka and efforts to speak with him on the government order failed.
It would be recalled that one Master Chidalu Nwite son of Mr. Sunday Nwite disappeared from the Compassionate home and the managers of the home could not give a good account of what happened to the little boy warranting a report to the Nigerian police .
Little Master Chidalu Nwite was handed over to the Matron of Christian Compassionate and Motherless Babies Home, Obosi, owned by Mrs. Chika Goodness Ogazi for upkeep, sequel to the Mother’s illness after giving birth to the boy. The Nation leant Chidalu was brought to the Home on the 18th day of October where the father met with all the requirements needed for the upkeep of the child. Mr Nwite became suspicious of foul play when Matron of the Home, Mrs. Ogazi allegedly refused to issue him (Mr. Nwite) with any document as a proof that his son was in the custody of Compassionate and Motherless Babies Home, Obosi.
Mr. Nwite while narrating his ordeal in the hands of the Motherless Babies Home accused them of knowing the where about of his child. He accused the home of being notorious in Child theft and trafficking in the recent past, adding that he was shocked to his marrows last Sunday when he visited Compassionate and Motherless Babies Home, Obosi to see his child only to be told that the boy is the only missing among other children in the Home.
Mr. Nwite while narrating his ordeal in the hands of the Motherless Babies Home accused them of knowing the where about of his child. He accused the home of being notorious in Child theft and trafficking in the recent past, adding that he was shocked to his marrows last Sunday when he visited Compassionate and Motherless Babies Home, Obosi to see his child only to be told that the boy is the only missing among other children in the Home.
Reacting on the situation then, Mrs. Chika Goodness Ogazi said she came to work on Saturday and met the lady and on inquiry, she was told that the lady was in her Home for Region of Mary of the Catholic Church charity work.
“On hearing the name Region of Mary, I suspected nothing as many of them use to come and assist us in domestic works in the Home. It was when I was in the Church on Sunday morning that I was called and when I came to the Home, the shocking news was told to me and I fainted” She said.
