Mr Ya’u Ibrahim, the officer in-charge, Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, has commended the partnership of the Prison Fellowship Nigeria (PFN) with the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS) on inmates’ reformation and rehabilitation.
Ibrahim gave the commendation in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
He was speaking at the end of an annual Promised Path Education Programme, an holiday camping organised by PFN for children of inmates in Suleja Custodian Centre on Saturday
The programme is themed “Discovering Me”.
He urged Nigerian youths to be good citizens by shunning the influence of bad friends that lead to breaking down of law and order in the society.
He said that PFN had been a reliable partner and friend of the Service, in terms of inmate reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration.
“I want to thank PFN for collaborating and synergising with us to achieve our goal of inmates reformation in the Nigeria Correctional Service.
“Your efforts in preaching the gospel of God and your spiritual guidance to the inmates is unquantifiable.
“These are the real instrument for reformation and rehabilitation of inmates in custodial centres,” he said.
Ibrahim recalled various services that the PFN had been rendering to the development of humanity in the NCS.
He said the services included payment of fines for inmates sentenced with option, and payment school fees for children whose parents were incarcerated.
“They also purchase drugs in the custodial centres and assist when pregnant women deliver in our centres,” he said.
Addressing the children of inmates, whose parents are still serving their terms, the officer urged them to imbibe virtues of good citizenship and shun all forms of vices common among youths.
“As leaders of tomorrow and manpower of the nation, watch your actions because you hold the future of the nation in your hands.
“Certainly, you are one of the greatest assets any nation can have; you are the foundation of a society.
”This is because your energy, inventiveness, character and orientation define the pace of development and security of every nation,” he said.
Meanwhile, the PFN Chairman in Niger, Pastor Peter Okere, said that the programme was to give the families of inmates a sense of belonging.
“PFN takes advantage of the holiday period to assemble and camp children of inmates with their parents and put smiles on their faces.
“We are paying school fees of 71 of the children in primary and secondary school, so the camping period avails us the opportunity of going through their reports to monitor their academic progress,” he said.
Also, Pastor Dele Olude, the Promised Path Education Programme coordinator, said that the theme was to discover hidden talents in the children and see to how such talents could be developed for wealth creation.
He urged the children to cherish the life God has given them and think less of their situations.
“You are very special to God, therefore, rejoice in His presence and discover your talents,” he said.