21 inmates of Ondo Correctional Centre empowered with vocational skills

No fewer than twenty-one inmates from the Correctional Centre, Ondo State Command have been empowered and trained in different vocational skills such as tailoring, hairdressing, plumping, welding, electronics and electrical works, barbing, shoe making and others.

Jude Agboje, the Controller of Corrections, Ondo State Command, congratulated the inmates on their graduation and admonished them to make good use of what they learnt while in incarceration.

According to him, the donation and distribution of starter packs to inmates across the custodial centres, was graciously sponsored by their long-standing partner in progress, Don Bosco.

Agboje said further; “today is not just a day of giving, but one of hope, dignity, and transformation. It marks another bold step in our shared mission to restore lives, empower dreams, and foster true reintegration of inmates back into society as responsible, self-reliant individuals.

“Let me first extend my sincere appreciation to Don Bosco, not only for today’s kind gesture but for their consistent support over the years. They have stood as a pillar of compassion, and empowerment. Their efforts are a testament to what it means to not just talk change, but make it happen.

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“Transformation of the incarcerated is a shared responsibility, and rehabilitation is possible when society, government, and humanitarian organizations work hand-in-hand.”

The controller, who admonished the inmates to believe in themselves, said; “these starter packs are not just tools, they are symbols of trust and belief in your potential. I hope you’ll take this opportunity to begin a new chapter, not as ex-convicts, but as equipped individuals ready to contribute meaningfully to the society.

“I also believe that the partnership between Don Bosco and our command will continue to flourish, yielding even greater impact in the future. Together, we can build bridges that give second chances, transform mindsets, and restore humanity.”

BusinessDay gathered that the training was sponsored by Don Bosco Correctional Skills Training Apostolate, a non-governmental organisation under the Catholic Church.

Chima Agbo, a Reverend Father from Salesians of St. John Bosco, Akure, who spoke on behalf of the organization, said: “We had been working with inmates in the prison, trying as much as possible to see how we can transform their lives and bring them back to society.

“We are happy to give 21 of them starter packs to start up their lives, we believe that once we empowered them, they would not be able to engage in crime again. We are also using this opportunity to call on well-meaning Nigerians to help because we know that we can do more to give back to the society and by doing so we are transforming Nigeria.”

Agbo also called on other well-meaning individuals and organisations to emulate the kind gesture of Don Bosco as a way of empowering idle offenders in custody to be productively engaged in order to keep them away from crime.

Oluwatoyin Akeredolu, a retired Chief Judge of Ondo State, in her goodwill message, appreciated Don Bosco Apostolate for the huge resources put together to sponsor the programme.

“We should see this as an opportunity to go back to society, demonstrating that their lives had been transformed. They should improve and work on the tools that were given to them to establish themselves.

“There is a need for the government to ensure that ex-inmates are not going from the facilities without empowering them. We should not leave the whole things to NGOs, and well-meaning members of the public.

“I want to say that as we prepare them, to return to the society, there should be sensitization programmes to prepare the society to receive them well for proper reintegration.”

Adetunji Adeleye, commander of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, who also spoke at the event, called on the inmates not to misuse the opportunity given to them.

While Patience Godwin, on behalf of other inmates, thanked the donor for the gesture saying; “this gesture would send a strong signal to others to emulate and we are going to make use of all materials given to us.”