By Praise Chinecherem
52 female inmates at the Medium Security Custodial Centre Onitsha, Anambra State Command have graduated from the production of reusable and washable sanitary pads.
Controller of Corrections Anambra State Command, CC Usifo Joseph while addressing female inmates of the Centre, said the training was in line with the reformation and rehabilitation policy trust of the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service HALIRU NABABA.
He appreciated CAPIO team led by the Executive Director, Rev Father Jude Isiguzo, for their various inmate rehabilitation and empowerment programmes, aimed at equipping the inmates with empowerment skills over the years.
He revealed that he has known and partnered with CAPIO right from Enugu Custodial Centre as Officer Incharge .
He therefore charged the female inmates to always avail themselves the opportunity of the empowerment skills provided in this Custodial centre to learn as many skills as possible because no skill is a waste.
Usifo listed three important things on which every inmate should stand to include self realisation, self reliance and self independence stressing that their journey to custodial centre is built on the principle of ‘ Garbage in refine out”.
Similarly, the Officer in charge of the Custodial Centre, DCC Sunday Igwe, expressed gratitude to the “FEMALE INMATE RETURNED CITIZEN” a non governmental organisation sponsored and powdered by CAPIO for the success recorded in the center.
“As a father, I have treated female inmates under my care as daughters. Only a child the father loves, he beats or flogs.
“The certificate you received today is an eloquent testimony of their change in attitude. What has been destined in your lives will surely come to pass,” he said.
While promising that National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) would soon open fully in Onitsha Custodial Centre, Igwe revealed that CAPIO has provided more sewing machines and plastic tank for the female yard.
Executive Director of CAPIO, Rev. Fr Jude Isiguzo who was visibly excited, said since they started organizing the training, they have not had it so good like this.
He appreciated the Controller of Corrections and the DCC for their hard work in ensuring the inmates turned out in their numbers to embrace the training, culminating in this graduation ceremony.
Highlighting the purpose of the training , Fr. Isiguzo said the production of reusable sanitary pads started in Jos 2020, predicated on making the inmates realise that Correctional Centres are not their home thus the need to equip the inmates with valuable skills that will make them useful citizens after imprisonment.
Isiguzo, notified all present that CAPIO had been in the business of providing financial assistance and aftercare services to ex-inmates to enable them commence a new life adding that tailoring and hair dressing workshop will start operation in Anambra State soon to assist inmates complete the training they started in the Custodial Centres.
The Facilitator Loveth Efom Udensen while presenting washable pad produced by the inmates to the members of the high table, commended the Controller of Corrections,the Officer in charge Onitsha Custodial Centre and Executive Director CAPIO for their strong belief in the inmate to turn over a new leaf .She encouraged the inmates to use what they have learnt to better their lives.
The highpoint of the occasion was presentation of certificate to all the participants and cash award to 14 best inmates who distinguished themselves during the course of the training.
The occasion featured drama, music presentations, cultural displays and special numbers, to the admiration of the invited guest.
