The Federal Government has commended inmates of the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre for their commitment to skill acquisition and reformatory programmes aimed at rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, gave the commendation during a visit to the custodial centre on Wednesday.
Tunji-Ojo said the visit was part of the government’s commitment to ensuring the welfare and rehabilitation of inmates.
“I decided to come unannounced to see the living conditions of inmates and interact with them directly,” he said.
“We wanted to inspect the medical facilities, the skill acquisition centres, and see them practicing their trades, as well as visit the National Open University centre.
I am very pleased that what we have seen today is quite different from the general public perception.”
The minister reaffirmed that inmates’ welfare remains a priority for the Federal Government, hence the establishment of various empowerment and rehabilitation programmes.
He praised the inmates for their positive attitude towards facilitators and stakeholders dedicated to their reform.
“You are not in prison but in a correctional centre. You are not condemned people; you are tools and raw materials that we can process into wonderful finished products,” he said.
“You are here to be corrected, rehabilitated, restored, and transformed. It is my desire that when you leave here, you will be intellectually and practically empowered to live a self-reliant and sustainable life.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that facilitators from the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), in collaboration with Chemical and Allied Products (CAP), are currently conducting a two-week training programme for inmates.
A CAP trainer, Mr. Gbenga Ogunfolaji, said the company plans to hold the training quarterly due to inmates’ enthusiasm.
“We initially planned for 50 inmates, but their interest and enthusiasm were so high that we now have 78 participants who are eager to learn,” Ogunfolaji said.
Similarly, Mr. Omale Peter, a facilitator from the building institute, said the training aligns with the government’s focus on technical education under the National Skills Qualification (NSQ) framework.
“All the learners, after their practical assessment, are expected to be awarded NSQ certification,” he said.
