The Luchi Advocate Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), has donated vocational equipment and production materials to skilled ex-inmates of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) custodial centres to support their reintegration into society.
The equipment and materials were handed over to the FCT Controller of Corrections, Christopher Jen on Wednesday in Abuja.
The Founder of the foundation, Oluchi Uche, said during the presentation that the gesture was aimed at supporting the vision of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), FCT Command.
She also said that the gesture was aimed at promoting the rehabilitation, reformation and reintegration of inmates.
Uche said the foundation was committed to reducing crime and promoting a safer society by empowering former inmates to become self-reliant.
She urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items and remain worthy ambassadors of the correctional service.
“As we give out these relief materials, they are not coming from a place of abundance, but from a place of love and care.
“Put them to good use. Start producing whatever you have learnt and do not sell or give out these equipment. Use them for the purpose for which they are being donated,” she said.
She revealed that the foundation had previously visited the Kuje Custodial Centre, where it donated relief materials, provided food and encouraged inmates.
According to her, the organization also visited the Suleja custodial centre in support of inmate rehabilitation programmes.
Uche said the foundation’s interventions were not limited by gender or race but were dedicated to serving humanity.
She disclosed that the foundation would, in September, sponsor the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) registration fees of 500 indigent students.
“We want to support intelligent students who did not choose the circumstances they were born into and are unable to continue their education.
“We believe in protecting rights, impacting lives and spreading smiles,” she said.
Earlier, Jen commended the foundation for supporting the command’s efforts at building a safer society.
The controller said that the command maintained close contact with trained ex-inmates to ensure that the vocational skills acquired while in custody were effectively utilized after their release.
“By doing so, they become ambassadors of the Nigerian correctional service and agents of crime reduction in society.
“With these items donated to them today, they can establish their businesses and eventually become employers of labor,” he said.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the FCT command to rehabilitation, reformation and reintegration as critical components of effective corrections.
Jen said many young persons in custodial centres came from vulnerable backgrounds, including poor families, orphanhood, broken homes among others.
According to him, the command discovered that unemployment and lack of sustainable means of livelihood were among the major factors driving many youths into crime.
“With that understanding, we introduced vocational skills that are affordable to learn and relevant to society’s needs.
“The goal is to ensure that when these young Nigerians leave custody, they become productive citizens, ambassadors of the Nigerian correctional service and employers of labor,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that beneficiaries of the donated equipment and materials include Abdulkadir Muhammad, who trained in shoe making, Adamu Usman, who acquired tailoring skills, and Odiba Daniel, who specialized in soap making while in custody.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Daniel expressed appreciation to the foundation and the NCoS FCT command for the support.
He said that while in custody, he commenced a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) programme and also acquired soap-making and other vocational skills.
“Today, you have come to our aid by addressing one of the major challenges ex-inmates face after leaving custody, which is reintegrating into society and earning a decent living.
“This support will go a long way in helping us. You have empowered us, and we will continue to contribute positively to society with the skills we acquired while in custody,” he said.
NAN also reports that items donated include sewing machines for tailoring and bag making, soap-making materials and other vocational tools.
The sum of one hundred and fifty thousand naira was also donated to the ex-inmates by a volunteer of the foundation to support their empowerment.(NAN).
