NGO set to train Ebonyi female inmates on sanitary pad production

A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Female Inmates and Returned Citizens (FIRC), has made plans to train Ebonyi female inmates at the Correctional Service Centre, on Sanitary Pad production by April.

The  Program Manager (FIRC), Mr. Godwin Ugbor, disclosed this in Abakaliki, during a one-day project planning meeting for Abakaliki correctional chiefs .

According to Ugbor, the training  organized by FIRC with support from Cardite Prisoners Interest Organisation (CAPIO) and funded by MISEAN CARA (Mission Support from Ireland), was to create inclusive and safe space for all female inmates and returned citizens.

He noted that the training, which will last for one month, will give a voice to the inmates to tell their stories and capacity to change their situation through advocacy,  empowerment, re-integration and general welfare of their members.

He however called on the State Comptroller to provide ten female inmates that would be trained in the first phase before stepping it down to other female inmates.

Responding, the State Controller of Abakaliki Prison, Sir. Chigbata Anthony, lauded the NGO for the good plans towards the female inmates. 

He noted that with these skills, crime will be reduced to the nearest minimum and the society will be peaceful again.

He however called on the federal government, other NGOs to emulate FIRC and empower the Nigeria citizens to curtail  insecurity in the country.

His words, “We are willing and the inmates will be happy to be trained on Sanitary pad production. The program will help in so many ways apart from learning it here, when they are freed, they will develop the skills they acquired while in prison.

“Once you don’t have something doing, you are prone to commit crime but with this skills, the chances of these inmates committing crime when they are freed will reduce to the nearest minimum and it will help the society.

“To get-rich-quick syndrome is eating bad into our youths but they forget that white-cola job is not the only job one can do to become successful. Youths should engage in farming and diversify but my message to the federal government is that when they learn these skills, they may not have the capital to start because it is capital intensive so I encourage the federal government to support the youths achieve their aims through empowerment to curtail joblessness in the society.”

Earlier in his remark, Mr. Chukwuanu Okoli, the Communication Officer (CAPIO) said the skills acquisition program was organized to help the female inmates shun crimes and other social vices.

“This project is particularly for the female  inmates on the production of sanitary pads as skills learning is a viable tool in keeping the inmates busy and have something doing after serving their term.”