Otti’s wife donates skills acquisition equipment to NCoS custodial center in Aba
The wife of the Abia Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, has donated skills acquisition equipment to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Medium Security Custodial Center in Aba.
Speaking on Wednesday during the presentation of the equipment in Aba, Otti said the donation was part of her contributions to the betterment of the inmates in fulfillment of her promise to enhance the NCoS skills acquisition programmes.
According to her, the skills acquisition equipment which she provided included two industrial sewing machines, two fabric weaving machines, tailoring materials, standing hair drier, hand-held hair drier, hair wash basin, hair dressing materials and generator.
She further said that a grant of N1 million would be provided for the inmates that had acquired skills as a start up grant.
Otti said the donation would not be “a one off thing” and assured that the exercise would be performed regularly in response to the needs of the center.
She expressed her determination to partner with the NCoS to further project its programme of reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration designed to transform the inmates into better citizens.
Otti said that empowering individuals with skills that make them self-reliant can significantly reduce the likelihood of them returning to crime.
She added that providing the inmates with a sustainable source of livelihood can help them build a better future for themselves and avoid previous hardships.
“On our last visit I promised that we are going to work with you as partners and it is not going to be one off thing.
“We recognised that the inmates should be given an opportunity to get a new lease of live after serving their sentences especially the female inmates.
“In supporting the correctional center in their programme of reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration and the programme is very key.
“We want our inmates to come out with something that would enable them to make positive contributions to the society,” she said.
Otti said that plans were underway to assist the center to commence an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training for the inmates because of its relevance in maximising their skills.
Mrs Julie Anyanwu, the Controller, of the Correctional Service, Abia command thanked the first lady and acknowledged that the governor’s wife promise is not a political promise.
She said,”I am overwhelmed today witnessing today visit by the first lady and fulfilling her promise to the center.
“This showed that the current administration is reliable and that they promise and fulfil thier promise so the first lady promise is now a promise fulfilled.
“I pray God to protect and be with her as she and the team is going back to Umuahia and promised that the items will be judiciously used for it’s purpose,”she said.
The Senior Special Assistant on Vulnerable Groups, Mrs Ifeoma Thomas, expressed the State Government’s commitment to support the vulnerable members of the society and create a more inclusive and equitable society.
“Our government has made significant strides to ensure that the needs of the vulnerable are not only heard but also met with compassion and empathy through various initiatives and programmes.
“The government has provided vital support to those who are most in need and protecting the well being of the vulnerable,”Thomas said.
An inmate who spoke onbehalf of others thanked the first lady for the gesture and pray that God who made her to remember them will continue to bless her efforts.
“Your present showed that our concern touches you but we need much things apart from the skill acquisition.
“We need more vehicles to enable us attend our cases everyday and on time as the available ones is no more enough,”he said.
He also urged the government to help ensure that there are improvement on the electricity power supply to ameliorate their suffering owing to the hot weather.
The inmate noted that they are yet to enjoy or feel the impact of the newly inaugurated, Integrated Power Project (IPP) in Aba.
