SPECIAL ADVISER TO THE ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNOR ON YOUTH REFORMATION/EMPOWERMENT VISITS AWKA CUSTODIAL CENTRE, PREACHES CORE VALUES TO INMATES

The Special Adviser to the Governor of Anambra State on Youth Reformation/Empowerment, Dr. Nelson Omenugha, on Tuesday paid a working visit to the Awka Medium Security Custodial Centre, where he encouraged inmates, particularly the youths, to embrace the virtues of hard work, integrity, patience, and lawful means of livelihood.

The Special Adviser and his entourage were received by the Officer in Charge, Awka Medium Security Custodial Centre, DCC Innocent Amaechi, in the company of the Command Public Relations Officer, CSC Francis Ekezie, Esq. Also present during the visit was the Command Legal Officer, DCC C. K. Abiakam Esq.

In his welcome remarks, DCC Amaechi expressed appreciation to the Special Adviser for finding time to visit the Centre. He thanked the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, for his unwavering commitment to youth development and empowerment across the State and appealed for continued collaboration with the Nigerian Correctional Service in supporting the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates. He particularly appealed for assistance in equipping the Centre’s vocational workshops and extending the State Government’s youth empowerment initiatives to deserving inmates who are preparing for life after custody.

Addressing the inmates, Dr. Omenugha observed that the quest for quick wealth has become one of the major factors driving many young people into criminal activities, causing them to spend their productive years behind bars. He urged the inmates to embrace hard work, discipline, integrity and patience, stressing that genuine success comes through honest labour and perseverance. He encouraged them to see their period of incarceration as an opportunity for reflection, reformation and personal development, assuring them that they can still rebuild their lives and become responsible members of society.

The Special Adviser thereafter toured the Centre’s vocational workshops, library and other rehabilitation facilities. He commended the Nigerian Correctional Service for its unwavering commitment to the reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates through educational and vocational programmes.

Speaking during the tour, Dr. Omenugha pledged to collaborate with the Nigerian Correctional Service to support inmates who are due for release and have acquired vocational skills by assisting them to establish small businesses. He further assured that, in line with the youth empowerment programmes of the Anambra State Government, efforts would be made to equip some of the Centre’s workshops so that more inmates, the majority of whom are youths and Ndi Anambra, would benefit from quality skills acquisition.

At the Arts, Handicrafts and Sculpture Workshop, the Special Adviser expressed delight at the outstanding artworks produced by the inmates. He described their creativity as exceptional and promised to continue visiting the Centre to encourage them and strengthen their sense of belonging.

The visit was capped with an emotional moment when one of the inmates presented Dr. Omenugha with a beautifully handcrafted bead necklace. He immediately wore the necklace to the admiration and applause of everyone present, describing it as a symbol of hope, creativity and transformation.

The visit further underscores the shared commitment of the Anambra State Government and the Nigerian Correctional Service to promoting rehabilitation, youth empowerment, skills acquisition and the successful reintegration of inmates into society as responsible and productive citizens.

CSC FRANCIS EKEZIE ESQ
COMMAND PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER NIGERIAN CORRECTIONAL SERVICE ANAMBRA STATE COMMAND.