Ogun State Government has confirmed the adoption of a nine-year-old minor, Master Korede Taiwo, who was chained for weeks by his father for stealing in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government area.
The boy, who was rescued by the Nigeria Civil Defence Corp and the Police, has since been admitted into the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta.
Speaking during a visit to the boy at the hospital, the governor’s wife, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, expressed satisfaction over the health of the child whom was recuperating.
She noted that the state would take up the responsibility and educate the child by sponsoring his education.
“I am happy to see him active and responding to treatment and with the way things are, he would soon be discharged from the hospital. The state government has taken full responsibility and would ensure his safety and his education,” she said.
Amosun’s wife condemned the maltreatment meted out to the boy by his father and urged parents to take good care of their children by providing for them to avoid a situation that could lead them into stealing and other vices.
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| Wife of Ogun state governor and Korede |
Mrs. Amosun said the President’s wife, Aisha Buhari, was also interested in the welfare and speedy rehabilitation of the boy.
“It is reassuring that the boy is doing well despite all what he was subjected to. We were worried that we will see a dejected and withdrawn child, but we are seeing Korede that is active with his mind alert.
“Although, he looked smaller than what a child of his age should be, but he is recuperating very fast. The state government has taken a proactive step to address the issue.
“The mother of the nation has followed the case when it first broke and she is still following it. She (Aisha Buhari) is very passionate about it. She wants to know the boy’s condition and compassionate about the case,” Mrs. Amosun said.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye noted that the government would give the child the best in the areas of medical and social support.
He explained that the boy would still be at the hospital for another week to enable him recuperate fully.
The commissioner said Korede was strong and willing to come out of his health situation.
Head of Department of Paediatric, Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta Dr. Morufat Ogundeyi said the boy was admitted for child abuse and chronic malnutrition.
She added that the boy would be investigated to know if he has any other infection.
Mrs. Ogundeyi said Korede needs special care and rehabilitation to help him develop and interact well with other children.
She added that the child was mentally alert and if given opportunity, he would do well like any normal child of his age.
Commissioner for Justice Dr. Olumide Ayeni said the administration has zero-tolerance for all forms of abuse and would take positive steps to ensure such situation was curbed.
He noted that the case had been taken take over in line with due process, adding that the culprit would be brought to book.
During Amosun’s visit, Taiwo passionately begged her not to allow anybody to return him to his father’s house.
Korede, who spoke in Yoruba from his hospital bed, said he could not trust his torturers not to repeat the same act on him in future, if sent back to live in his father’s house.
He could barely speak due to exhaustion and starvation following weeks of torture by his father and stepmother.
Mrs. Amosun strained her ears to hear him clearly when she visited the boy.
Korede was chained for over a month by his father who is in charge of Key of Joy parish of the Celestial Church of Christ, Ajinwo, Ota area of the state.
The Anti-Human Trafficking unit of the state Police Command handed the boy over to the officials of Ministry Women Affairs and Social Development, Abeokuta, who took him to FMC on Monday. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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In the US and other advanced countries govt takes care of all her citizens. In Nigeria, nothing for the citizens from the govt unless you are chanced to have a critical problem that one governor's wife noticed or you are kidnapped and released by Gboko haram or other terrorist boys.
ReplyDeleteYou stepmothers that don't want to see their stepchildren face to face, law of cammer will visit you one day.
ReplyDelete