Most motivational speakers and religious preachers often urge families to visit prisons with their children to show the young ones the other side of life.
A group of women in Warri, Delta State, has tested the idea in a demonstration of compassion and commitment to community service. They testified that inmates merely made mistakes.
Members of the Akokwa United Progressive People’s Assembly, Warri Branch, declared this when they paid a visit with relief materials to inmates at the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Warri. The outreach also featured a special church service aimed at inspiring hope, faith, and spiritual renewal among the inmates. Our report.
The trip was led by Nkiru Agbanelo, the Chairlady of the Akokwa United Progressive People’s Assembly, alongside members of the association. This is said to be part of efforts to promote love, unity, and social responsibility within the community.
Akokwa is a clan of six autonomous communities in Imo State having the same social cultural heritage.
During the visit, the delegation interacted with inmates, encouraging them to remain hopeful and embrace positive change throughout their rehabilitation process. They emphasized the importance of faith, good conduct, and personal development as vital ingredients for successful reintegration into society after incarceration.
As part of the humanitarian gesture, the association donated a variety of relief materials to support the welfare of the inmates. The items included medications, inhalers, sachet water, wraps of eba, and containers of egusi soup. Members of the association said the donation was intended to demonstrate care, compassion, and solidarity with the inmates while contributing to their well-being.
Solidarity with the inmates was understood as actively supporting the incarcerated individuals by recognizing their humanity and fighting against systemic oppression. It is further understood to involve actions like organizing supply drives for the inmates, and demanding humane living conditions.
Speaking at the visit, Agbanelo said: “They are not condemned; they are here for correction. When they see good-spirited Nigerians coming to spend time with them, they will know there is hope. They will realize that they still have the opportunity and aspiration to become better than when they went in.”
A church service was also held during the visit, bringing together members of the association, inmates, and officials of the correctional centre in an atmosphere of worship and fellowship.
Delivering the sermon, catholic cleric, Emmanuel Oforgore, preached on the ‘Body and Blood of Jesus Christ’, drawing his message from the compassion that Jesus showed. He emphasized the importance of faith in Christ, spiritual renewal, and the transforming power of God’s love.
The cleric urged the inmates to remain steadfast in prayer, draw strength from their faith, and look forward to a brighter future despite their present circumstances. His message resonated with many of the inmates, who actively participated in the service.
He said: “It is all a matter of grace and privilege. That is why whenever the priest celebrates the Mass, graces are dispensed and given to every one of us. Those who open their hearts to receive them will indeed receive those graces.”
In a brief interview, Agbanelo described the values that Akokwa people hold dearly, including compassion and sharing.
Akokwa is located in Ideato North LGA of Imo State, a strategic border town known for its vibrant commerce and rich Igbo cultural heritage.
The town celebrates its yearly yam festival twice a year with masquerade displays. Its prominent indigenes renowned as major Nigerian industrialists and entrepreneurs.
Akokwa is defined by key important characteristics including strategic location as a border town in the heart of the South-East, cultural celebrations, industry and enterprise, and strong spirit of community development. These seem to be some of the attributes and values that the women wing carried to the Warri correctional centre.
She told newsmen: “We the members of AUPPA (Women Wing) Warri Branch, with the support of our husbands, are fully determined to live out to the fullest these ideologies for the good of our great clan Akokwa, our own individual good, and that of generations to come.”
The chairlady tried to trace where the spirit comes from, saying the communities/distinct villages and kindreds are harmoniously bound in unity and are endowed with unique gifts of patriotism, nobility, integrity and industry.
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