By Stephen Adeleye.
In a heartwarming display of compassion, the Wife of Kogi State Governor, Hajia Sefinat Usman Ododo, has distributed essential items to inmates at the Nigeria Correctional Centre in Achoze, Okajem, Okene.
Hajia Ododo made the donation when she visited the centre on Wednesday to spread a message of hope and compassion to the inmates.
She said the visit to the correctional centre was a rare demonstration of care and compassion, aimed at alleviating the playing inmates with special attention to nursing mothers.
Represented by the Wife of Kogi State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Princess Karimat Abdullahi, the First Lady emphasized that the inmates’ circumstances do not define their worth.
She, assured them that they remain valued members of society.
“Your being here doesn’t mean you’re abandoned. We still care for you and you definitely have loved ones who still pray for your return. So, keep hope alive and remain prayerful,” she said.
Beyond the immediate relief items, the First Lady urged the inmates to use their time to reflect on their lives and embrace positive attitudes.
She encouraged them to take full advantage of skills acquisition and vocational training programmes available to them.
She pledged to use her office to ensure the speedy adjudication of cases involving awaiting-trial inmates and promised sustained support to the facility, including vocational training equipment, medications, and other essential items.
She also urged correctional officers at the facility to remain professional and committed to transforming the inmates into better members of society.
The Officer in Charge, Assistant Comptroller of Corrections (ACC) Owolagba Augustine, described the visit as a significant morale booster, praising the First Lady’s compassion and commitment to transforming the lives of inmates.
He pledged the proper and judicious utilization of all items.
The donated items include; 30 bags of 50kg rice, 30 cartons of spaghetti, 30 packs of banana flour, 30 bags of wheat, 30 cartons of Indomie noodles and 30 bags of Semovita,
Others were 40 tubers of yam, 2 cartons of vegetable oil, cartons of Maggi seasoning cubes, 2 bags of garri, clothings and ready-to eat food items for children, detergents, underwears, and cash donations.
