- Assures of more assistance, especially to female inmates
From Ogbonnaya Ndukwe, Aba
Wife of Abia governor, Mrs Chidinma Otti, on Wednesday, returned to the Aba medium security correctional center with gifts in fulfilment of a promise she made during an earlier visit, last month.
During the visit, the first by a wife of a sitting governor since the creation of the state, Mrs Otti, had assured the inmates of assistance towards solving some pressing needs, which she made good the second time she was there.
Speaking to the inmates and their handlers, the Abia first lady, accompanied by her husband’s special assistance on women development and poverty reduction, Mrs Ifeoma Thomas, expressed joy that she was able to procure some of their requests including industrial sewing machines, power generators, hair salon equipment, washing machines, among others, which were made available to the centre.
Mrs Otti, said she could not wait to get all the things they asked for, but promised to do more to fulfill those needs that will help train them on skills that will enable them live well and contribute to a better society after serving their jail terms.
“In our last visit, you requested for some items that will help improve your skills and things like mosquito nets, drugs. We believe that inmates at custodial centres should come out better than they had gone in after serving their jail terms.
“It is in response to that, that we want to participate in the rehabilitation of the inmates, to provide support that will inspire them generally. We are going to provide support by giving a standoff grant of N1 million.”
She said her office will be particularly assisting female inmates receive training in information technology (ICT) as, according to her, it is the new thing in town with prospects of exposing one with such expertise globally.
Welcoming the Abia first lady earlier, the state controller of Nigerian Correctional Service, Mrs Julie Anyanwu, described her as a dedicated mother while commending her for identifying with the problems of the custodial centre and it’s inmates.
Mrs Anyanwu, promised to always work with the government to bring succour to those being corrected and ensuring a peaceful coexistence with the larger Abia society.