Crime

Anambra woman arrested over alleged hot-knife abuse of seven-year-old daughter

Published

50 mins ago

September 14, 2026

Peterside: Nigeria’s Resources Have Not Translated Into Prosperity Due to Weak Institutions and Poor Management By ------- Leadership and public policy expert, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has said Nigeria’s failure to translate its vast natural and human resources into broad-based prosperity is largely a consequence of weak institutions, poor management and inconsistent policy implementation. Peterside, who was the keynote speaker at the 65th Annual National Management Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), said Nigeria’s fundamental development challenge was not a shortage of resources, but the quality of institutions through which those resources were managed. He urged the country to urgently move “from resource wealth to institutional wealth,” stressing that oil revenues should be channelled into productive assets, including education, infrastructure, technology, research, manufacturing, agricultural value chains, logistics and human capital. “Development occurs when natural wealth is converted into institutional wealth,” he said, defining institutional wealth as capable people, credible systems, reliable laws, efficient agencies, transparent processes and productive enterprises. Peterside said the contrasting development experiences of Nigeria, Botswana and South Korea demonstrate that natural resources alone do not determine national prosperity. He noted that Botswana had leveraged its diamond wealth through strong institutions, political stability, secure property rights and prudent public financial management, while South Korea achieved remarkable transformation through capable institutions, industrial coordination, infrastructure development, export-oriented policies and sustained investment in education. He also cited historical per-capita income comparisons involving Nigeria, China and Malaysia, noting that Nigeria had once been ahead on the cited measure but was subsequently overtaken as the other countries grew faster and more consistently. According to Peterside, “Potential is not destiny. History does not reward potential; it rewards organised potential.” He warned that excessive dependence on oil could encourage rent-seeking, fiscal instability and distorted incentives, stressing that the critical question was whether oil would finance national transformation or merely fund consumption. Peterside urged Nigerian managers and policymakers to prioritise merit, accountability, measurable performance, institutional memory and professional public management. “Institutions become strong not because they occupy impressive buildings, but because they deliver predictable outcomes,” he said, stressing that national transformation ultimately depends on “capable institutions led by competent people” committed to implementation. Earlier, His Majesty, Oba Dr. Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, the Alara of Ilara Kingdom, said in his keynote address that Nigeria’s failure was fundamentally a failure to build strong institutions. The monarch said the country must be deliberate in cultivating competent leaders with integrity, stressing the importance of leadership development in achieving national transformation. In his remarks, the President and Chairman of Council of NIM, Commodore Abimbola Ayuba, said Nigeria could not move forward without breaking from the past. “The operating environment must be conducive and peaceful for the nation to excel,” Ayuba said. He charged professional managers to serve as leading lights and change agents in their respective areas of calling, urging them to contribute actively to improving the country’s institutions, systems and management practices.

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 32-year-old woman, Ogechi Ofoma, for allegedly subjecting her seven-year-old daughter to severe physical abuse, including injuries reportedly inflicted with a hot knife.

The incident occurred in Ibollo community, Awada-Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.

The victim, identified as Oluebube Ofoma, was allegedly assaulted after her mother accused her of taking meat from a cooking pot.

The child was reportedly rescued after community security personnel and residents intervened and alerted the police. The incident was reported to the command on Sunday evening, September 13, 2026.

Confirming the arrest on Monday, the police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspect was arrested in collaboration with the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare.

Ikenga said preliminary information indicated that the child suffered severe physical abuse, with some injuries allegedly inflicted with a hot knife.

“The Anambra State Police Command has strongly condemned the alleged brutal abuse of a seven-year-old girl in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area and has reaffirmed its resolve to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice,” he said.

The suspect is currently being detained at Awada Police Station while investigations continue.

The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Ama, has commenced collaboration with the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Esther Onyekesi, to ensure that the child receives urgent medical attention, protection and appropriate welfare support.

The police commended the Ibollo community security personnel and residents for their intervention, saying their prompt action helped prevent further harm to the child.

The command assured the public that the investigation would be conducted professionally and thoroughly, with the safety and best interests of the child remaining paramount.

Onyekesi also condemned the alleged incident, describing it as “inhumane and a gross violation” of the rights and dignity of a child.

She commended the police for their swift response and stressed the importance of cooperation between security agencies, communities and social welfare authorities in protecting vulnerable children.

The commissioner reaffirmed the Anambra State Government’s commitment under Governor Chukwuma Soludo to protecting children and creating a safer environment for them.

She warned that anyone found culpable of violating children’s rights would face the full weight of the law.

Onyekesi further urged residents to promptly report suspected cases of child abuse, maltreatment, molestation, neglect or any other threat to children’s safety to the relevant authorities.