The Convener, Hope Alive Initiative for Africa, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Tuesday, visited the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, in commemoration of his eighth year anniversary on the throne of his ancestors.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), this was contained in a statement by Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Centre, Samuel Duza, yesterday, in Abuja.

Ogunwusi said that his visit was necessitated by his empathy for humanity and his belief in giving a second chance to people to correct their mistakes.

He urged the inmates not to see their incarceration as the end of life, but as an opportunity to turn a new leaf.

According to him, “I am here for the real people who need hope. Your condition today will be history tomorrow. So, don’t give up.”

The Ooni, who secured the release of five inmates through payment of their fines, admonished other inmates to be of good behaviour, comport themselves in line with the rules of the custodial centre and forgive themselves.

He promised to support the inmates’ rehabilitation programmes by giving materials to aid their skills acquisition programme.

In her speech, the Deputy Convener, Hope Alive Initiative for Africa, Olori Temitope Ogunwusi, said that the visit was not only to celebrate the remarkable reign of his majesty but to also reflect on societal issues.
The Controller-General, NCoS, Haliru Nababa, appreciated the Ooni and Olori for choosing Kuje Custodial Centre to show their benevolence.

Nababa assured them of the Service’s commitment to the full implementation of its mandate of reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates.

The CGC, represented by the Controller of Corrections in charge of Planning, Research and Statistics, Ajibogun Olatubosun, admonished the discharged inmates to be good ambassadors of the Centre in their future endeavours.