Correctional Centre’s Controller Wants Inmates Addressed As Students

Deputy controller in charge of the Owerri Correctional Centre, Dr Prince Udoka, has said the centre was working hard to rehabilitate the “students” to become better.

Udoka made the disclosure when a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Citizens of Heaven Charity Foundation, visited the centre to fete the “students”.

According to him, no one was permitted to address the people in the centre as inmates even as he maintained that they were “students” currently undergoing rehabilitation in the facility.

“Please address them as ‘students’ undergoing rehabilitation and not as inmates please. This place is a Correctional Centre, it is wrong to address them otherwise,” Udoka said.

He commended a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Bonaventure Echeta, for his visit and support to the “students”.

Echeta, the founder of Citizens of Heaven Charity Foundation, said the visit which was backed with the donation of food items was to emphasise hope and resilience to the students.

He called on the “students” at the Owerri Correction Centre to strive and live a better version of themselves daily.

According to him, being in a correctional facility should not amount to lost hopes, but rather an opportunity to become stronger and better individuals.

He further charged them to build a relationship with God, who makes the impossible situations possible, and find strength in their faith, saying the visit was to bring comfort and inspiration to them, and encouraged them to hold onto hope and work towards personal growth and redemption.

He said, “We are here to remind you that God loves you irrespective of your situation, you just have to put your trust in God Almighty to perfect everything concerning you.

“The Citizens of Heaven Charity Foundation was established two years ago with the goal of extending a helping hand, providing support to those in need, making a difference and positively impacting the lives of individuals. Our charity work focuses on bringing hope, assistance, and transformation to those who require it most,” he said.

In another development, Echeta settled the hospital bills of 68 patients within Imo State.

Among the facilities are Imo Specialist Hospital, Umuguma and Holy Rosary Hospital, Orlu.

Echeta said the donations were from his savings and support from his friends to assist people, especially the indigent.

On her part, a former chairperson of Owerri West local government area, Barr. Adaora Ekemma, encouraged the students to hold on to their faith and hope for their liberation and restoration of freedom.