Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has announced that the state government will pay medical bills of the 10-year-old female househelp, Miss Nneoma Nnadi, who was maltreated and brutalised by her guardians, Mrs. Ifeoma Ozougwu and her husband, Mr. Jude Ozougwu, promising that the State government would ensure that she receives adequate medical attention.
Nneoma was said to be a househelp to Mr and Mrs Ozogwu , who reside at Thinkers Corner, Enugu, and hail from Aku in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The victim was allegedly brutalised by her guardians, Mr and Mrs Ozogwu ,who allegedly hit nails on her head, pressed hot iron on her body and inflicted various degrees of injuries on her, which prompted their arrest by the Enugu State Police Command, and rescue of the victim – who is now receiving treatment at the ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu.
On receiving the report, the governor directed the Commissioner for Gender Affairs and Social Development, Princess Peace Nnaji, to immediately visit the victim at the hospital to ensure that she receives proper medical attention.
At the hospital on Saturday, Nnaji, who was accompanied by the Chief Medical Director of ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu, Prof. Hycienth Onah, to see the abused child,
expressed shock at the sight of the girl and the ugly incident she encountered.
Nnaji thanked their neighbours for bringing the incident to public domain, describing them as “Good Samaritans”.
She said. “We can never sweep it (the matter) under the carpet. The dastardly act undermined the Child Rights Act His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration spent millions of naira, time and energy to enact in the collaboration with UNICEF, to make sure that every child in Enugu State is protected, given education, healthcare and right to life, among others”.
According to her, “Enugu State government is not taking this lying low. The state government will take care of all the medical bills, facility and everything concerning this girl”.
She empathised with the victim and her immediate family, promising them that the state government will not take the matter lightly and that the State government will take care of the girl’s welfare.
In a brief remark, the Chief Medical Director of ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu, Prof. Onah, said that the victim was responding to treatment and being taken good care of. He added that “her chances of full recovery are high”.
Responding, the mother of the victim, Mrs. Nnedinso Nnadi, expressed gratitude to Ugwuanyi for the state government’s concern and intervention, disclosing that it was a traumatic experience for the child and the entire family
She prayed God to reward all those who have played roles towards the rescue and treatment of their child.
