By
Ana’aticha Polycarp
The Committee of Heads of Federal Government Establishments in Adamawa State has visited the Yola Custodial Centre to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary with the management, officers and inmates of the centre.
The visit was aimed at identifying with the inmates, encouraging them to remain hopeful and supporting efforts towards their rehabilitation, reformation and successful reintegration into society.
Speaking during the visit, the representative of the Committee Chairman, Pharmacist Umar Lawan, State Officer, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, said the committee has consistently demonstrated its commitment to community service, solidarity and humanitarian gestures.
He said the delegation was at the centre to share in the spirit of the Independence celebration, encourage the inmates and give them hope, as they remain an important part of society.
Pharmacist Umar Lawan also commended the correctional service for its efforts in providing security, rehabilitation, reformation and preparing inmates for reintegration into society. He encouraged the inmates to remain hopeful and use their time for reflection, personal development, learning and rehabilitation, so they can return to society with renewed purpose.
Also speaking, the Director and Zonal Coordinator, North-East Zonal Office of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Yola, Dr. Ajani Sakirdeen Abideen, said the delegation was at the centre to celebrate Nigeria at 66 with the inmates and support their proper reintegration into society. He said the gesture was also aimed at complementing the mandate of government agencies and contributing to efforts to help inmates become better and more productive members of society.
Responding on behalf of the Controller-General of Corrections, the Adamawa State Controller, the Deputy Controller and welfare personnel, ASC One Tayo Kedi, Welfare Officer, Jimeta Custodial Centre, appreciated the delegation for the visit and gesture of love towards the inmates. She said the correctional service is committed to correcting and reforming inmates so that they can return to society as responsible citizens, stressing that the facility is now focused on correction and rehabilitation rather than punishment alone.
Other speakers during the visit included Deborah Birdling Bubwa, State Coordinator of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, and Abdulrahman Talle Abubakar, NECO Coordinator.
Mrs. Bubwa encouraged the inmates to develop good character and acquire skills that would help build their future and enable them contribute positively to their families and society. She reminded them that life is not over because they are in a correctional centre. She also promised to liaise with relevant officials to arrange for the inmates to be registered and issued National Identity Cards.
The NECO Coordinator, Abdulrahman Talle Abubakar, told the inmates that they had not been forgotten and remained an important part of society.
He urged them to work towards changing their lives and preparing for a better future. He promised to establish a NECO registration centre at the facility to enable inmates who wish to further their education to register for examinations and continue their studies.
