The Rivers State Government has called on operators of orphanage homes to ensure proper registration and strict compliance with laws safeguarding the rights of children in the state
The appeal was made by Lauretta Dimpka, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
The directive follows public outrage over reports involving a Port Harcourt-based cleric, Chibuzor Chinyere, who allegedly made arrangements to marry off his 21-year-old adopted daughter living with autism, alongside offering incentives to a prospective husband.
Dimpka explained that the government intervened after the matter gained widespread attention online, stressing that while the cleric may have acted with good intentions, the arrangement did not align with existing child protection laws.
She noted that key legal frameworks such as the Child’s Rights Act, the Persons with Disabilities Act, and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act provide clear protections for minors and individuals with disabilities.
“These laws mandate strict safeguards for minors and persons with special needs,” she said.
She also commended the cleric for honouring the government’s invitation and expressing willingness to comply with regulatory guidelines going forward.
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