Ondo deputy gov urges inmates to learn skills

The Ondo State Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami, has charged the inmates at the Correctional Centre, Olokuta, to learn vocational skills while in prison to enable them to live a productive life after their jail term.

Adelami also advised the inmates to use their time in the facility to seek God and prepare themselves properly for a productive life after their release.

The deputy governor, who is also the Chairman, Board of Trustees of Prison Fellowship Nigeria, gave the advice during a visit to the centre on Friday, according to a statement issued on Saturday by his spokesman, John Akinduro.

The statement said the visit was aimed at providing encouragement, spiritual support and welfare assistance to inmates.

Stressing the importance of vocational and educational training for the prisoners, Adelami urged the inmates to take advantage of the various skills acquisition programmes available within the correctional centre.

“I want you to take advantage of the various skills acquisition programmes available within this centre. Acquiring useful skills would ensure that there is no gap between your period in custody and your return to society, as you would have something productive to engage in after regaining their freedom,” he was quoted to have said.

‎‎Adelami, who also visited the juvenile section of the correctional centre, where he interacted with children serving various sentences, said being in the correctional centre should not mark the end of their lives, but rather serve as an opportunity for reflection, transformation and preparation for a better future.

‎‎”I want to encourage you to embrace God and strengthen your relationship with Him, faith can provide you with the courage, hope and discipline needed to overcome your present circumstances. Don’t allow your past mistakes to determine your future. Rather, it should be a lesson for you to turn a new leaf,” he said.

‎‎The Officer-in-Charge of the Olokuta Medium Security Correctional Centre, Olayinka Dada, commended Adelami and members of Prison Fellowship Nigeria in the state for their continued partnership and support for the correctional service.

‎‎He also acknowledged the improvements being recorded under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, particularly in infrastructure and welfare, including the ongoing construction of a modern block of cells at the facility.