By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in Enugu State has honoured the founder of Catholic Institute for Development, Justice and Peace (CIDJAP), Monsignor (Professor) Obiora Ike on his 70th birth anniversary, 45 yrs of priesthood and 40 years of CIDJAP.
The service did so with a novelty football match and exhibition of products.
Assistant Controller-General (ACG) of Corrections, Enugu, Barrister Prisca Oku, in her address after the novelty match and facilities inspection, congratulated Prof. Ike on his birthday celebration and thanked him for his charity and humanitarian support to the maximum custodial center through CIDJAP for 40 years.
Oku, who is also the NCoS Zonal Coordinator, Zone M, during the event held in Enugu Maximum Custodial Center, described Prof. Ike as “a very good shepherd that has been contributing his quota to the vineyard of the Lord.”
She prayed God Almighty to bless, keep and direct him.
Also speaking, Controller, NCoS, Enugu State Command, Valins Obizue, in his speech, appreciated Ike for what he has been doing for the custodial center.
Obizue emphasized that Prof. Ike had done many positive things for them, expressing that he is still doing more and wished him a happy birthday.
The Controller also applauded the students for the skill acquired during their stay at the maximum custodial center and urged them to make sure that their efforts are not a waste. He advised them to showcase their talents wherever they are.
The Deputy Controller, NCoS, Dr Sunday Igwe, earlier in his address after a novelty match, congratulated Monsignor Ike on his birthday, saying that the Command set aside the event to identify and further celebrate one of the pillar that supports the correctional center in the state.
He emphasized that Ike assisted the center so much and with impact.
“This is a place that is housing over 3,000 persons, those who are believed that have erred in one way or the other; greater of them are convicts, majority are awaiting trials.
“We have come to show the world that these persons are not here loafing about. A lot of people don’t know that behind the bars, there are hidden talents.
“These talents are what you are seeing today. We are kicking off the product exhibition, just to show you that the metal doors, the shoes, clothes, insecticides, disinfectant, carpentry/upholstery works, barbing salon and students of Open University are talents we have harnessed here at the Correctional Center,” he noted.
He called on government officials to visit the center and interface with them, stressing that they need government presence.
“We appeal for assistance in diverse ways especially in reduction of number of inmates, vehicles to take them to court, vehicles for official duties, revitalisation of machines and equipment in various workshops and a functional water tanker among others,” he explained.
One of the inmates, who spoke on condition of anonymity, on behalf of others, said that CIDJAP had given virtually all inmates educational scholarship to all levels of education, sponsored vocational training and paid health expenses, among other philanthropic gestures.
“However, Daddy, we are no longer asking for double ration of food; but double ration of freedom and release from here so that we can be integrated into the society and use our discovered talents and higher educational attainment to assist the society better,” he appealed.
Monsignor Ike, in his response, said that he had taken note of things lacking in the facility during the guided tour, listened to demands of inmates and “noted an abnormal as well.”
He said that CIDJAP would donate 10 sewing machines and bring technicians that would fix obsolete machines in vocational workshops, adding: “We will meet and pressurize the governor to donate vehicles for conveying inmates to courts and for officials.
“Since I am a member of the State Committee on Prerogative of Mercy, the governor will be granting amnesty to inmates on May 29, which is Democracy Day; Oct. 1 Independence Day and on New Year’s Day.
“I will be meeting with the Chief Judge of the State and work out possibility of having jail delivery twice yearly and send CIDJAP lawyers to take up some cases, where the accused and incarcerated are innocent or have no one to speak for them.”
Ike assured that on compassionate grounds, he would take up the case of nursing mothers or pregnant women in custody.
“We must stop the courts and law enforcement agencies sending mentally challenged persons to custodial facilities. There are medically helpful places they should go to,” he added.
The event featured music presentation, football match, display of cosmetic products, upholstery, shoes, clothes, metal and fabrication work by the inmates.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Prof. Ike (in white soutane, smiling) about to shake hands with a player ahead of kick-off of the exhibition match.
