By Frank Momoh
The Ministry of Women Affairs has expressed its willingness to collaborate with the Correctional Service formerly (Nigeria Prison Service) on skill acquisition and aftercare for female inmates, even as it said that it is part of efforts towards ensuring the realization of its mandate,
The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, disclosed this weekend, when the Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Mr. Haliru Nababa, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to her office in Abuja
She stated that women by their nature are enterprising and as such, every effort put into their development, whether as inmates or free citizens, will in the long run contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.
The Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, Mrs. Grace Njoku, quoted the Minister as saying that women who are behind bars if properly rehabilitated after their release, through skill acquisition and other deliberate sustainable empowerment initiatives, they are capable of contributing to the peace and stability of their respective families and the society at large.
Recall, that on assumption of office as Minister of Women Affairs, she paid a visit to the Suleija Correctional Centre to identify with female inmates.
According to her, “I was touched by the challenges some of the female inmates were facing, some of whom have been awaiting trial for offences that require between N10, 000.00 to N15, 000. 00 to regain their freedom. On further engagement with the officers at the Centre, the Ministry paid and facilitated the release of 92 female inmates, including the male inmates
“I was also excited to see their potentials even while being incarcerated, as the female inmates produced soaps, detergent, and Dettol, including sewing of fabrics.
“The Ministry then resolved to initiate a scheme that will empower them sustainably through the provision of industrial machines and other modern equipment to upscale the production of soaps, detergent, and other items.”
The Minister informed that with the E-market portal which has been unveiled by government, the Ministry was ready to partner with the Service to onboard female inmates across the country with a view to helping them work and earn incomes even as inmates while their monies are saved up for them to access immediately after their release from the prison.
This move, she said, is aimed at providing meaningful sources of livelihood for them after their release from prison to prevent any further attempt to be lured back into criminality after the completion of their jail terms*
The Minister added that the plight of the female inmates, among others kindled in her, the burden to initiate a partnership with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) which culminated into the Governors’ approval of the establishment of Mobile Courts in all States of the Federation and the FCT for quick dispensation of justice on issues relating to gender based violence as well as to further decongest Correctional Centres across the country.
Earlier in his remarks, the Controller-General of the Nigeria Correctional Service, explained that their visit is a follow-up on the Minister’s earlier visit to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to seek areas of collaboration with the Ministry, especially on programmes that will encourage female inmates on skill acquisition, training as well as sustainable empowerment that will enable them to be productive and earn income that will give them strong financial base after their discharge from the Correctional Centres
He commended the Minister, as well as the management and staff of the Ministry for their determination to ensure that women, children and the vulnerable in the society are empowered in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu-led Administration.
He assured that the Service would partner with any Ministry, Department and Agency (MDA) of the Federal Government, especially in the area of skill acquisition and aftercare services for inmates.
