MARTHA UDOMIn line with the rehabilitation, reformation and reintegration policy of the Nigerian Prisons service, the wife of the Akwa Ibom State Governor and initiator of Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Program (FEYReP) has promised to partner with relevant authorities to establish a vocational training workshop for inmates of Ikot Abasi and Eket Prisons respectively.
Mrs. Emmanuel disclosed this when she visited the reformative centers where she donated food and relief materials worth thousands of naira in the spirit of the season.
The Governor’s wife said that life behind bars does not mean they cannot be productive citizens, saying this will help prepare them for the society when eventually they are released.
She said her visit to the centers was to identify with the inmates in this season of love, saying even though they have been confined, they were still very important members of the society.
She implored them not to give up on life, but rather advised they turn a new leaf and look forward to the future with great hope adding that God has not given up on them either, promising that as the mother of the state, she will always endeavor to keep in touch with them.
Earlier, the Deputy Controller in-charge of Ikot Abasi Prisons, Ogbeifun Josephine expressed her gratitude to the governor’s wife for her liberal benevolence to the inmates of Ikot Abasi prisons, praying that God will reward her labour for the needy. She highlighted some challenges facing the center to include dilapidating administrative block, cells and vehicle to meet up with the demands of their operation, soliciting for support from government in this regard.
Similarly, the Chief Superintendent in-charge of Eket Prisons, Agomo Ibezimako, appreciated Mrs. Emmanuel motherly love for the inmates saying that her visit has given hope to the inmates in this season of love.
She noted the prison established about a century ago, currently has over 400 inmates, saying dilapidated prison buildings, lack of accommodation, generating plant and lack of staff quarters are impeding the workforce of the officers.
In their separate goodwill messages, the wife of transition chairman of Eket, Mrs. Bright Archibong and secretary of Ikot Abasi transition committee, Hon. Abasiama Umana appreciated the governor and wife, Martha for their love for the downtrodden in the society praying God to give them more wisdom to discharge their selfless service to the State.