Adelami Takes Message of Hope, Skills Acquisition to Akure Correctional Centres
…Deputy Governor Donates Food items, Toiletries
The deputy governor of Ondo state and Chairman, Board of Trustees of Prison Fellowship Nigeria, Dr. Olayide Adelami, has urged inmates of the Olokuta Medium Security Correctional Centre, Akure, to use their time in the facility to seek God, acquire vocational skills and prepare themselves for a productive life after their release.
Adelami gave the charge during a visit to the correctional centre on Friday, as part of activities aimed at providing encouragement, spiritual support and welfare assistance to inmates.
He told the inmates that being in the correctional centre should not mark the end of their lives, but rather serve as an opportunity for reflection, transformation and preparation for a better future.
The deputy governor encouraged the inmates to embrace God and strengthen their relationship with Him, noting that faith could provide them with the courage, hope and discipline needed to overcome their present circumstances.
He urged them not to allow their past mistakes to determine their future. Rather, it should be a lesson to turn a new leaf.
Adelami also stressed the importance of vocational and educational training, advising the inmates to take advantage of the various skills acquisition programmes available within the correctional centre.
He said acquiring useful skills would ensure that there was no gap between their period in custody and their return to society, as they would have something productive to engage in after regaining their freedom.
The deputy governor later visited the Juvenile Correctional Centre, also in Akure, where he interacted with children serving various sentences.
He encouraged them to remain sober and reflect on their actions, while assuring them that their present circumstances should not prevent them from becoming responsible and productive members of society.
He urged the young inmates to take advantage of the opportunity to learn, change their attitudes and prepare themselves for reintegration into society, stressing that they still had their entire lives ahead of them and could make positive choices that would shape their future.
The Officer-in-Charge of the Olokuta Medium Security Correctional Centre, Mr. Olayinka Dada, commended Dr. Adelami and members of Prison Fellowship Nigeria, Ondo State, for their continued partnership and support for the correctional service.
He also acknowledged the improvements being recorded under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, particularly in infrastructure and welfare, including the ongoing construction of a modern block of cells at the facility.
The officer further disclosed that some inmates were currently pursuing various academic programmes through the National Open University of Nigeria, domiciled within the vicinity of the correctional centre.
The visit featured the presentation of foodstuffs and other essential items to support the welfare of the inmates, reinforcing the commitment of Prison Fellowship Nigeria and its partners to rehabilitation, spiritual renewal and successful reintegration of inmates into society.
