Ify Obinabo, the commissioner for women and social welfare in the Anambra State, reports that the Arrow of God Community Children's Home in Onitsha has been closed down because of allegations of illegal adoption and child selling.continue Reading
Obinabo oversaw the Wednesday closure of the building after Fisayo Soyombo's report and documentary, which claimed that the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare participated in an unauthorized adoption of a baby girl alongside one of her registered homes in the state, went viral on social media and on local television stations.
About 20 children, including a newborn baby, were rescued from the orphanage while the owner and employees had fled and were still at large Operation.
Children between the ages of one and seventeen were found, including ten boys, nine girls, and a newborn.
Obinabo claimed that Rev. D.C. Ogo, the orphanage home's founder, had been invited to her office in Awka for an explanation but had declined to go. She further denied any involvement on her part or that of the ministry in the drama surrounding the unauthorized adoption of children.
The ministry is not aware of any adoptions with the Arrow of God Orphanage Home even, and the ministry was never involved in the adoption process, the woman claimed.
The absence of three signatories—the Commissioner, the Head of Children, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry—is one of the inconsistencies in the aforementioned adoption.
As opposed to the Nnewi court order depicted in the documentary, since I took office, all requests for court orders pertaining to adoption or foster care are routed through the designated Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Magistrate court in Awka. This is because the main objective is to uphold the best interests of the child.
She warned other children's home operators who were involved in illegal adoption, reiterating that the state government is taking all necessary measures to take action against operators who don't follow the state's standardized operational standards and procedures.
Because ignorant people are now posing as ministry specialists who support adoption, she advised parents seeking to adopt a kid in the state to exercise greater vigilance.
"The general public should be aware that no consultants were hired by the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare.
"We urge everyone to report to the ministry any suspicious activity discovered in any orphanage facilities, and we guarantee that the operator of the said orphanage home will be brought to justice as soon as possible.
"The children recovered are currently in the care of the state government as necessary steps are underway to trace and reunite them with their different families," she continued.