Nigerian Correctional Service in Delta state has been boosted with a donation of musical instruments and generating sets worth about N2 million.
The donor, Asaba chapter of the National Association of Seadogs (NAS) otherwise known as Pyrates confraternity, said the musical sets would not only create an atmosphere of revival but also help inmates to acquire skills in music.
President of the chapter, Emeka Okolo said: “There is still life after leaving the prison environment as inmates have the second chance to integrate into the society.
“The gesture is part of our community service to the people. While growing up, we used to have a prison band, like the police band. We believe some inmates will through this, learn skill in music.”
Receiving the musical items, an elated Delta Comptroller of Correctional Service, Friday Esezobor Ovie, expressed appreciation to the group for fulfilling its promise made sometime last year to provide musical instruments to the command.
“I am impressed with this gesture. This made me believe that we are not left alone in the rehabilitation and reintegration of our inmates back to society.
“On behalf of the Comptroller-General, I receive the items from you and this would be used to the needs of inmates and staff of the command.”
He appealed to groups, institutions and individuals to demonstrate goodwill towards the rehabilitation of inmates after serving their terms.
Earlier, Ovie spoke of the place of music in the five correctional facilities in the state Agbor, Ogwashi Uku, Warri, Sapele and Kwale which have talented musicians (inmates), saying “all work without play makes Jack a dull boy.”
He said the correctional service had created a leeway for inmates to improve on their educational efficiency, adding that “for instance, in Warri we enrolled 22 inmates for General Certificate of Education (GCE) and those who could not are skilled in tailoring, hairdressing, shoe making, carpentry, among others.
“We established a mini bakery…all we do is to ensure the vision of Nigeria Correctional Service is achieved.”
Ovie expressed satisfaction with the steady progress made by inmates in the state in particular and the country in general.
“One of our inmates in the state wrote GCE and had his papers, today he is a barrister at law”, stressing that within and outside the state, some are PHD holders, pastors and imams, among others.
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