Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO, under the Catholic Church, Don Bosco Correctional Skills Training Apostolate, has trained and empowered 21 inmates in Correctional Centres in Ondo State.
The inmates were trained in different vocational skills such as tailoring, hairdressing, plumping, welding, electronics and electrical works, barbing, shoe making and others.
They were also given starter packs to enable them kick off their businesses.
Representative of the NGO, Reverend Father Chima Agbo, said the training was to transform the lives of the inmates and integrate them into the society.
Agbo expressed optimism that the beneficiaries would not return to crime after leaving the Correctional Centre.
“We are happy to give 21 of them starter packs to rwstart their lives, we believe that once we empower them, they would not be able to engage in crime again.
“We are also using this opportunity to call on well-meaning Nigerians to help because we know that we can do more to give back to the society and by doing so, we are transforming Nigeria.”
Agbo urged other organisations to emulate the kind gesture of Don Bosco as a way of empowering idle offenders in custody in order to keep them away from crime.
Controller of Corrections, Ondo State Command, Jude Agboje, urged the beneficiaries to make good use of what they learnt while in incarceration.
Agboje added that the empowerment was a shared mission to restore lives, empower dreams and foster true reintegration of inmates into the society as responsible and self-reliant individuals.
”Don Bosco organisation has stood as a pillar of compassion and empowerment. Their efforts are a testament to what it means to not just talk change, but make it happen.
“Transformation of the incarcerated is a shared responsibility and rehabilitation is possible when society, government and humanitarian organisations work hand-in-hand.”
Commander, Ondo State Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun Corps, urged the inmates not to misuse the opportunity given to them
