Abia First Lady To Empower Prison Inmates Through Vocational Training
Wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, has pledged increased support for rehabilitation and legal aid programmes at the Afara Correctional Facility in Umuahia.
Addressing the inmates during a humanitarian outreach to the centre on Thursday, Mrs. Otti said the visit was aimed at offering encouragement, promoting redemption, and reinforcing the administration’s belief that every citizen, regardless of circumstance deserves a second chance.
“Being in a correctional facility should not be the end. It is an opportunity to reset, reflect, and come out better. You can still live a purposeful life after here,” she said.
She announced that her office would scale up support for skill acquisition and empowerment programmes within the facility to ensure inmates are equipped with tools to reintegrate into society upon release.
According to her, “Rehabilitation through skills development is essential. We want to empower you so that when you leave here, you can start afresh and contribute positively to society.”
She also disclosed that the state government is engaging with the Ministry of Justice, legal aid organisations, and civil society groups to provide legal assistance to inmates who lack proper representation, stressing that no one should be denied justice due to lack of legal support.
“We’re working with partners to identify cases where inmates have been forgotten or left without legal help. Access to justice is a right, not a privilege,” she added.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Maureen Aghukwa, who accompanied the First Lady, praised the initiative, noting that the Otti administration prioritises the welfare of vulnerable groups.
“Your current situation is temporary. You can still rewrite your story,” Aghukwa said as she encouraged the inmates to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them and remain positive.
Also present were the Mayor of Umuahia North, Chief Ihuoma Smart, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Poverty Alleviation and Vulnerable Groups, Mrs. Ifeoma Thomas who both commended the First Lady’s consistent outreach to disadvantaged groups across the state.
Receiving the delegation, the Controller of the Abia State Correctional Headquarters, CP Mrs. Josephine Ogbeifun, expressed appreciation for the visit and described Mrs. Otti as a dependable ally of the facility.
“She has always been there for us, not just on special occasions, but every time we need her. She is a mother to both inmates and staff,” CP Ogbeifun stated.
An inmate who spoke on behalf of others thanked Mrs. Otti for the visit and described it as a “motherly gesture” that had rekindled hope and a sense of dignity among the prison population.
THE WHISTLER reports that items donated during the outreach included a cow, bags of rice, beans, toiletries, and cash support. The event was also attended by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adaeze Emetu, and other senior government officials.
Abia First Lady To Empower Prison Inmates Through Vocational Training is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
