Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, the Minister of Women Affairs, has strongly warned against hiring children under 18 as house help and mistreating vulnerable individuals.
The warning comes after the arrest of Anambra-based lawyer, Adachukwu Okafor, for allegedly abusing her 10-year-old house-help.
During the lawyer’s public appearance, Kennedy-Ohanenye emphasized that the government will not tolerate child abuse, child labor, mistreatment, or any form of domestic violence.
She stated that severe punishment awaits those who engage in such cruel behavior.
The minister also mentioned efforts to enforce the Child Rights Act and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act to protect vulnerable individuals.
Specifically, she addressed the issue of hiring children under 18 as house help, warning that strict measures will be taken against such practices.
Her words: “Thank you Mr President for the power given to me to be able to protect the rights of women and children, and I am telling Nigerians no more taking a child under 18 as house help.
“We are launching all sorts of measures to protect women and children.
“As you employ a child under 18 years, the police will not rest and I also will not rest, until we stop all these societal ills and prosecute offenders.”
