The Government of Imo State, South-East Nigeria, has adopted the 24 pregnant young girls rescued by the security operatives in the state.

Gov. Owelle Rochas Okorocha disclosed this when officials of the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development presented the victims to him at the Government House. He also approved the immediate release of the sun of N10 million for the upkeep of the girls and to ensure safe delivery of their babies.

Okorocha, flanked by his wife, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha, and members of the State Executive Council, expressed shock at the plight of the girls who claimed were taken to the centre under false pretense, describing the development as morally wrong.

He appealed to parents to device a way of accepting and handling such situations instead of chasing their children away into wrong hands where they would be used as baby making machines.

The governorordered the immediate closure of all illegal motherless babies homes in the state, saying that henceforth cases of child adoption must have his approval or that of the First Lady.

He also ordered the immediate demolition of the centre where the victims were rescued at Umuaka, Njaba LGA, even as he condemned the ugly trend of people making money from child trafficking and other illegal means.

Adding her voice, the First Lady thanked the governor for his fatherly role in the state and assured that she would take care of the pregnant girls as directed by him. She disclosed that her office would engage a doctor to take care of the girls to avoid complications during pregnancy and delivery.

In another development, Gov. Okorocha has inaugurated a 10-man committee christened ‘Committee of Don’t Forget’ aimed at reaching out to relevant persons that fought for his victory as governor.

Inaugurating the committee at the Government House, the governor said his administration resolved to set up the committee to recognise those who gave their support towards his victory in the 2011 general elections. He disclosed that the committee would ensure compensation for deserving persons.

In his response, the chairman of the committee and Deputy Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Donatus Ozoemena, assured that the committee would do everything within its reach to ensure the success in the assignment.

Members of the committee include Hon. Eudora Igwe, representing Ideato North in the Imo State House of Assembly; Barr. Ngozi Njoku, Director-General Imo Foundation; Hon. Kenneth Emelu, Commissioner for Youths and Sports; Dr. Hilary Eke, former ALGON chairman, Chief Jerry Okoli, the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, and few others.

•Photo shows Governor Okorocha.