Anambra baby factories get 48-hour quit order

Anambra State Government has given orphanage homes where babies are “produced and sold”, a 48-hour ultimatum to close shop or face severe sanction.
The wife of the state Governor, Mrs. Margaret Obi, gave the order on Monday during the Children’s Day celebration at Awka.
The directive came as four pupils slumped at different locations in the state during the celebration.
She warned all motherless babies’ homes in the state, indulging in illegal adoption and selling of babies in any guise, to leave the state without further delay.

The governor’s wife, also noted that the state government was working with the National Agency for The Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other related Matters on all issues relating to children.
She said, “Our state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development is working in collaboration with NAPTIP because we as a government condemned in strong terms any form of illegal baby adoption or outright baby selling.
“Baby factory is an injustice against children and moral values our society is known for. Our laws on baby fostering and adoption is sacrosanct and must be complied by anybody setting up a motherless baby home in the state.
“Once that is not done, the home is illegal and we have ordered such illegal homes and operators to leave the state within 48 hours.
“It is illegal and that is why our government has taken issues relating to children, including education, mother and child mortality and health care services serious.”
The Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, representing Governor Peter Obi on the occasion, read the address of President Goodluck Jonathan to the children.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Henrietta Agbata, advocated the protection of children from all manner of abuse, adding that child rights was about survival, participation, protection and development.
She also urged stakeholders to ensure that there were no physical, psychological and social abuse and exploitation of children.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Uju Okeke, who lauded the performance of the children in calisthenics, march-past and dances, said their ingenuity was a pointer to the state government’s investment in education.