The Nigerian Correctional Service and Obijackson Foundation Partner has Launched Inmates’ Rehabilitation and Empowerment Programme in Akwa Ibom State.
ASC Richard Metong Public Relations Officer
Nigerian Correctional Service Akwa Ibom State Command made the disclosure in a statement.
He said the initiative is aimed at transforming the lives of incarcerated individuals and contribute to their successful reintegration into the society.
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He also said a total of 13 inmates drawn from the four Custodial Centers in the Command whose fines were paid by the Foundation benefited from the empowerment program.
He also said the beneficiaries were certified by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity in various vocational skills such as laundry, vulcanizing, welding and barbing.
Metong added that the were also given start up cheques of one hundred and fifty thousand (N150,000) naira each and vocational tools for the various trades learnt in the facility.
“The Foundation also donated and installed six computer sets and other internet accessories for the take-off of the National Open University Study Center at Medium Security Custodial Center, Ikot Ekpene.”
“The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Engr. Bassey Okon, commended the Nigerian Correctional Service
for fulfilling its core mandates of reforming, rehabilitating and ensuring that post-incarceration offenders can live productive and fulfilled life as it is done in developed countries.
He noted that the Governor lauded the inmates for their good behaviour and also charged them to be good ambassadors of the Correctional Service by being useful to themselves and the society after discharge from custody.
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In her speech, the Executive Director of Obijackson Foundation, Pamela Egbo, said that the Foundation got involved because they know that reformation and rehabilitation is the only way forward to give people lasting and sustainable life so that they can change and become better citizens.
The Controller of Corrections, Julius Ezugwu, on behalf of the Controller General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa, appreciated Obijackson Foundation for partnering with the Service to achieve its mandates.
He added that the Foundation has been a household name in many Custodial Centers in the country- Onitsha, Ikoyi, Kirikiri Female, and many others.
He thanked them for their unwavering commitment in providing relief items and drugs for the well-being of our teeming inmates.
The Controller went further to express gratitude to His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State and Sister security agencies for the robust synergy.
He also used the opportunity to make a passionate appeal for a multi-sectoral involvement and collaboration in the rehabilitation and empowerment of the teeming inmates in our Custodial Centres in the State to forestall their recourse to recidivism.
The Officer In-charge of the Center, Deputy Controller of Corrections, Archibong Ekong appreciated Obijackson Foundation for their support in achieving a better rehabilitation process in the Command.
He noted that the rehabilitation and empowerment program will help address anxiety among inmates and give them a second chance to become better citizens in the society.
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The event was well attended by heads of sister security agencies, religious leaders, and NGOs and faith-based organizations.
