NAN-H-105
Moral
Abakaliki, Dec. 14, 2016 (NAN) An official of the Ebonyi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has advised parents and religious organisations to emphasise rectitude to check child abandonment and other crimes.
Mr Godwin Igwe, who heads a department in the ministry, gave the advice in Abakaliki on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Igwe said there was a need for rectitude because the growing rate of child abandonment, if not checked, might not augur well for the nation, even economically.
He said that through the collaboration of the juvenile and welfare section of the state police command, the ministry recorded six abandoned babies in different locations between September and December.
He attributed the situation to lack of parental responsibility and the prevailing economic recession.
“There’s a need for the church, clergy and parents to preach more of rectitude and Christ-like life to reduce the act and other crimes that glorify evil.
“These single and young mothers are creating difficult situation for the future, as many of the dumped babies may have identity crisis,” he noted.
He said the ministry could not support and empower victims of this circumstance due to insufficient funds.
“While we fight to stop child abandonment in the state, we also try to make provision for an emergency home in the ministry in case we have one.
“We need resources to empower the victims, as well as to support and maintain the babies abandoned,” he said. (NAN)
UVU/MAS/MVO
(Edited By Moses Solanke/Mbadiwe Okwor)