The Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUSCOYS) has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) on easing the performance of its statutory role of rehabilitating and reintegrating the inmates into the society, in alignment with the Correctional Service Act, 2019.
The chairman of MUSCOYS, Alhaji Kunle Sanni, made the pledge on Tuesday when he led a delegation of representatives of Muslim organisations on a courtesy visit to the Oyo State controller of the NCoS, Mr Babafemi Jayeoba, at the command headquarters of the agency in Agodi, Ibadan.
Sanni, represented by the MUSCOYS Vice Chairman, Oke-Ogun 1, Mr Tajudeen Adeniji, said the community would continue to synergise with the NCoS to aid the success of its activities.
“The Muslim Community of Oyo State appreciates all your efforts in making the society better. May God continue to help you in the effective discharge of your duties,” Sanni said.
He promised intervention through fine payments for indigent inmates to fast-track their release and reintegration into the society.
MUSCOYS Secretary General, Alhaji Murisiku Siyanbade, called on the NCoS controller to constitute a committee made up of religious organisations, ethnic groups, philanthropists and other critical stakeholders for better coordination of inmates’ welfare.
Renowned comparative religion preacher, Dr Daud Amoo-Alaga, noted the warm reception of the NCoS controller, describing him as an epitome of amiability.
One of MUSCOYS’ delegates, Dr Musa Alongbija, called for the relocation of the correctional centre from Agodi to avoid its negative psychological effects on the public.
According to Alongbija, the relocation would also go a long way in achieving the quest to decongest the correctional centres and ensure improved conditions for the inmates.
The Oyo State secretary of the Nasrul-lahi-li Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), Alhaji Aliu Kewulere, promised to extend robust monthly intervention programmes to the Oyo Custodial Centre as his organisation currently does for Agodi.
In his response, NCoS state controller, Jayeoba, described the visit by MUSCOYS as timely and commended the community’s constant efforts at making life more comfortable for the inmates.
“I commend your organisation for past interventions such as the provision of cows to inmates at custodial facilities, the constant provision of nutritious meals for the inmates during and after Ramadan fasting. Your food was a delight for the inmates,” he stated.
Jayeoba solicited more generous interventions and synergy from the Muslim community for the successful reintegration of the inmates into the society and to minimise relapse into criminality.
He hinted that efforts are underway to move some categories of inmates to the Olomi Custodial Centre, Ibadan, pending approval from higher authorities.
The MUSCOYS delegation consisted of representatives of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, NASFAT, Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), National Council of Muslim Youths Organisations (NACOMYO), Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) and other Islamic organisations.
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