Anambra State Women and Social Welfare Commissioner Honourable Ify Obinabo has sealed off Arrow of God Community Children’s Home Onitsha.
The home was sealed off following a report by an investigative journalist, ‘Fisayo Soyombo which went viral on social media and local television stations alleging that the State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare was involved in an illegal adoption of a baby girl carried out by one of her registered homes in the state.
Reacting to the news, Honourable Obinabo first invited the founder of the home Reverend D. C Ogo to her office in Awka which she did not honor.
In the light of the above, the Women Affairs Commissioner in collaboration with the security operatives went to the orphanage located at 33 Nkwelle and sealed the Home.
Speaking after sealing the home, Honourable Obinabo explained that the ministry is not aware of any adoption with the Arrow of God Orphanage Home, adding that the adoption process did not go through the ministry.
She cited some of the irregularities of the said adoption to include absence of three signatories which must be hers, the Head of Child Department and that of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, and stated that since she assumed office, all applications for court order of adoption or care goes through the designated Children, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Magistrate court in Awka as against the Nnewi court order presented in the documentary as the fundamental goal is to protect the best interest of the child.
The Anambra State Women and Social Welfare Commissioner warned other children’s home operators involved in illegal adoption to desist forthwith or face the consequences, stating that the state government is all out to clamp down on operators who do not follow the stipulated standardized operational practices and processes in the state.
She therefore charged intending adoptive parents to be careful as unsuspecting persons now parade themselves as Ministry’s consultants who helps in facilitating adoption, reminding the general public that the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare has not engaged the services of any consultant.
At the Arrow of God Community children’s home, twenty children were recovered from the operator including a new born baby.
The children are currently in the care of the state government as necessary steps are underway to trace and reunite them with their different families.
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