Parents of miss Adaeze Chinweoke, the SS1 C student of Federal Government College Umuahia whose stories and pictures went viral in the media on the 24th of October 2024 after her mate in the school bit off one-fifth of her tongue are appealing for assistance in the form academic scholarship for their daughter.
Speaking with National Watch, on the incident to ascertain the heath status of the girl, her father, Mr. Chinweoke Ofekwe as he guided his daughter back to school for second term and the first time ever since the incident explained their experience.
Mr. Ofekwe who is based in Aba narrated that the health condition of his daughter took a huge toll on the family financially in addition to the pains the 13-year-old has equally been through.
According to him, apart from the efforts of the school principal, Mrs. Ngozi Kalu-Idika and two concerned parents of the school, there was no direct financial assistance from the federal ministry of education, the state government, the PTA of FGGC and the Old Girls’ Association of the School towards the family in the course of their daughter’s treatment so far.
He attributed the success of their daughter’s recovery to the Grace of God and the professional ingenuity of Dr. Innocent Iwegbu, a Chief Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial surgeon with the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia and his team.
When contacted to explain the medical and health fitness of Adaeze Chinweoke prior to her return to school to face the rigours of academic work and to know if the incident could have any future adverse effect on her oral health, Dr. Innocent Iwegbu confirmed that the young girl has recovered well and is now stable to resume school.
He emphasized the need for the school management to always use their assembly times to preach love so that students will see themselves as comrades as well as brothers and sisters.
Contributing on the matter, a child right activist and Coordinator of Abia Child Protection Network Ambassador Onyinyechi Nwosu praised the remarkable courage of Adaeze Chinwoke in returning back to school after the trauma while lending her voice in calling for scholarship for the young girl as well as commending Dr. Iwegbu and team for their dedication, exceptional skill and expertise. She called on Abia State government, FG and other good spirited individuals to assist Adaeze complete her educational target.
