By Aderogba George
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in collaboration with Diatom Impact/Platform Capital on Wednesday in Abuja donated re-useable Sanitary Pads to all female prison inmates across the country.
In addition, the NMA also said it would commence monthly psychiatric evaluation for all prison inmates across the country.
The Vice President 1 of the association, Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu, made this known during a visit to the Controller-General of Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), and to donate re-useable Sanitary Pads to all female prison inmates across the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the donation of the Sanitary Pads was done with the support of Diatom Impact/Platform Capital, a Nigerian based company who is also the manufacturer of the product.
Olowojebutu said that as from November 2025, every inmate incountry will begin to have access to psychiatric tools, adding that the idea behind the donation of sanitary pads was to promote dignified mental health of female inmates.
“Today marks a very long-standing joy in my heart that I’m doing this. In July, we had a very long meeting with the investigative panel, where we had a lot of revelations on how the inmates are treated right now in the correctional services.
“I was moved to tears when I heard about the hygiene of the women in the services. When we had that discussion, I made a vow in that meeting that we would supply women, the inmates, with sanitary pads,” he said.
The NMA VP1 stated that one of the things the association find out at another meeting was that Nigerian Prison inmates need psychological support and psychiatric evaluation.
He said that with the continuos relationship of NMA with the NCoS, the lives of the female and male inmates in the correctional center will change, because members have agreed, including Diatom Impact/Platform Capital to continue to be our brothers keepers.
In his response, the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Mr Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche appreciated the visit by the NMA, as well as the donation of the re-useable Sanitary Pads.
He said that for NMA to make donation and pledged to continue to follow it through as a means of cooperation with the NCoS goes a long way to show how sincere and how professional the association is.
Nwakuche particularly thanked Diatom Impact/Platform Capital, headed by Dr Akintoye Akindele as the Chairman of the company for building an incubation centre at the Kuje Abuja Correctional center where inmates are receiving training.
“Our inmates have Cisco certification all the way from America. That’s why they’re studying. And other agencies are beginning to key into that very beautiful hall to make sure people are also trained.
“People in our custodial facilities are not just the dregs of the society. These are people that are in various cadres of life, it’s just unfortunate that they found themselves in that place. Anybody can be in custody.
“A little mistake before a lawyer could even get you in. These are our brothers, these are our sisters. So why don’t we come together and see how we can make life better, easier for them.
“That human custody is something that we must bring in people, NGOs, well-spirited individuals to come and assist. So I want to thank the NMA for agreeing through your association to partner with us,” he stressed.
On his part, Akindele appreciated the impact of the Controller-General of NCoS nationwide saying that many people are in the prison today because of circumstances beyond their control, and they must be given a sense of belonging.
He admitted that there are challenges in the country, where most Nigerians have all been a victim in one circumstances or the other whether right or wrong, adding that despite that fact,, Nigeria is our country and we must all live-in in whatever way we find it.
“Everybody deserves to have that dignity, to have hope and to ensure that they have the chance at life. For us, it’s a big honour that NMA found us worthy to work with them because they are the real heroes. They are the superheroes.
“The Cap NMA is wearing is big and it’s needed. So it’s not an issue that we’re better. They’re already doing it the philanthropist work, we are just supporting them because they are already doing a great job
“If you see greatness happening in Nigeria in every place. Let’s all tape into it and leave the noise about the bad things alone. Let’s focus on the positives and let’s tell narratives that move the nation forward.
“We came to this world with nothing and we will go back with nothing, so let us continue to support good things,” he stressed.
Akindele stated that there was no need to make the Nigerian inmates look as if they are dead, adding that there is dignity in human rights, and we must continue to give inmates hope when they are still alive.
“Prisoners are human being, first, they are there to learn for better, we must build a country that we all must be proud of,” he said. (NAN)