Stakeholders Seek Improved Welfare For Prison Inmates

Stakeholders have called on government to increase the welfare of prison inmates and their general conditions across the country.

They made the call in Abuja yesterday, at the third annual lecture series of ‘Shamies Unusual Hearts Foundation.’

Speaking at the event, the executive director, Shamies Foundation, Amb Saratu Abdul, also called on government to increase budgetary allocation to correctional service.

Abdul, who was represented by the director of communications, Shamies Foundation, John Olugbemi, said the foundation has empowered several youths with requisite skills to fit into the labour market and fend for themselves.

He said, “Through numerous programmes and activities, we have empowered several young people with the requisite skills to fend for themselves and their immediate and extended families while contributing positively to the growth and development of our nation Nigeria.

“For us, the invaluable lessons that we have learnt since we began interfacing with the correctional sector have made us realise that for crime to be less attractive and correctional facilities to fulfil their mandates we must partner with the major stakeholders in the correctional value chain while supporting the initiatives of this administration towards crime prevention and youth empowerment. Through collaborative partnerships and efforts, we will fulfil our mandate.”

In his remarks, inspector-general of police, IGP, Usman Alkali Baba, assured Nigerians of a safe yuletide season, saying that the police have begun adequate measures to ensure peaceful celebrations.

The IGP who was represented by the area commander, Metro-FCT Command, ACP Adamu Babayo, said, the police would also collaborate with sister-security agencies to maintain law and order in the FCT.

He said: “We’ve stepped up our security measures, we have rolled out almost all our apparatus, to make sure that this yuletide celebrations, will be the most peaceful in recent years.

“You can see that through the massive deployment we have in the FCT. We have a lot of tactical teams that are out. If you go round strategic locations, you can see the presence of our policemen.

“One thing we always make sure we abide by, is we make sure we have synergy with other agencies. That collaboration is what we need to make sure that not only the police, other agencies are also involved to ensure safe yuletide celebrations.”