The Officers and Men of Uyo Custodial Centre in Akwa Ibom State has rolled out the drums to celebrate an ex-offender who served a term in the facility.
The officer in-charge of the Center, Assistant Controller of Corrections, Julius Ogueri noted with satisfaction, the tremendous turn around in character by the ex-offender, Mr. Udo-etuk Effiong and the zeal he demonstrated in upgrading himself while in custody.
Mr. Ogueri described Udo-etuk as an embodiment of what the Correctional Service stands for, which is reforming and rehabilitating an offender through force of personality and leadership.
“The ex-offender came into custody as a novice with no prior academic record or skill but today, he is going out with a First School Leaving Certificate and a Trade-test Certificate which he acquired while in custody. This is in addition to other skills in agriculture” Mr. Ogueri further stated.
He noted that due to the manifest remorse and change in character by the ex-inmate, the Custodial Centre gifted him some rehabilitation tools which includes; wheel barrow, shovel and cutlasses in-line with the skill he acquired and passion he developed in agriculture while in custody.
Acccording to him this will enable him start his own plantain farming in his community, create self employment and and add value to the economy.
The Officer in-charge stated that he was moved to support the young promising man to start a new life since he has passion for farming and also promised to follow-up the discharged inmate in order to make sure that he lived up to expectation.
Mr. Udo-etuk could not hide his joy as he showered prayers and appreciation for the kind gesture of Mr. Ogueri and other officers in the facility for their relentless effort in assisting him through counselling, vocational skills and literacy classes to change his life for good.
In a statement by DSC Ogbajie Ogbajie,
Public Relations Officer, Awka Ibom State noted that Udo-etuk regretted living a criminal lifestyle before and promised not to involve himself in crime again. He also advised young people to avoid immoral behaviors that could take them to Correctional facility.
