On Thursday, June 23, 2022, the Social Welfare Staff of the Ministry for Women Affairs and Vulnerable Groups picked up a few child hawkers and beggars from Wetheral, Douglas and Bank Roads, and brought them to the Ministry's office in Owerri for counselling.

During the investigation of the children's background, we discovered that only one of them had voluntarily taken to the streets to hawk without their parent's knowledge. He explained that he wanted to raise money to assist his parents in paying for his Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination (JSSCE).

While we admire his compassion towards his parents, we warned him about the dangers of hawking and the penalty involved in it.

Today, he, Chidera Ononiwu (15yrs old), accompanied by his younger brother, Emeka Ononiwu (13 years old) of Ishieke village, in Mbaitolu LGA in Imo State, came for verification and my office has helped with footing the bill for his JSSCE and granted additional support to them.

Imo State Government has never hesitated in putting out strict regulations aimed at eradicating any form of child labour or abuse within the State, especially on the issue of child hawking and it will see to it that every child is protected.

H.E. Chief Barr. (Mrs.) Chioma Uzodimma
First Lady, Imo State and Founder, GoodHope Flourish Foundation.