Mrs Otti urges inmates in Afara Correctional Facility to engage in self-reflection, promises legal assistance
Mrs Otti urges inmates in Afara Correctional Facility to engage in
self-reflection, promises legal assistance
The wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, has urged inmates at the Nigeria Correctional Centre Afara, to engage in self-reflection and take practical steps towards living a better life when they leave the facility.
Mrs spoke on Thursday when she visited the facility as part of activities marking the second anniversary of Governor Alex Otti-led administration.
The Abia first lady in a message of encouragement, redemption, and renewed purpose to the inmates, said her visit underscored the administration’s belief in the dignity and potential of every Abia resident, regardless of their circumstance.
She emphasized that the correctional facility should not be seen as an end, but as an opportunity for renewal and transformation.
She said, “Our visit today reflects the broader vision of the Governor Otti’s administration to ensure that even the most marginalized are not left behind in the development and compassion-driven governance taking root across the state.
“We would be stepping up our support for skill acquisition and empowerment programs within the correctional facility, having already extended such interventions in the past. Strengthening rehabilitation through skills development is key to ensuring that inmates can successfully reintegrate into society upon release”.
She revealed that efforts are ongoing state government to partner with the Ministry of Justice, legal aid organizations, and civil society groups to expand access to justice for inmates who lack proper legal representation.
“The initiative is part of a broader justice reform agenda that places rehabilitation, not rejection, at the heart of the correctional system” Mrs Otti said.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Maureen Aghukwa, praised the Governor and his wife for placing the welfare of the vulnerable at the forefront of the administration’s priorities. She encouraged inmates to see their current situation as a temporary phase and to make the most of every opportunity for learning and transformation.
Also in attendance were the Mayor of Umuahia North, Chief Ihuoma Smart, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Poverty Alleviation and Vulnerable Groups, Chief Mrs. Ifeoma Thomas. Both lauded Mrs. Otti’s sustained commitment to the empowerment of women, youth, and other disadvantaged groups across the state.
Welcoming the delegation, the Controller of the Abia State Correctional Headquarters, CP Mrs. Josephine Ogbeifun, expressed profound gratitude for the timely and impactful outreach. She lauded Mrs. Otti, for her consistent and compassionate support to the facility, describing her as a dependable ally and a mother figure to both staff and inmates.
CP Ogbeifun emphasized that Mrs. Otti has demonstrated unwavering commitment, making it a personal responsibility to stand by the facility at every critical moment. She prayed for renewed strength and continued success in Her Excellency’s humanitarian endeavors.
An inmate who spoke on behalf of others thanked the governor’s wife for what he described as a motherly gesture that has rekindled hope and dignity among the inmates.
The event featured the donation of essential supplies, including a cow, bags of rice, beans, toiletries, and cash support. It also attracted the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adaeze Emetu, and several senior government officials.
The visit to Afara Correctional Facility is the latest in a series of impactful outreach programs championed by Mrs. Priscilla Otti. It reinforces the Otti administration’s core belief that governance must be inclusive, compassionate, and responsive to the needs of all Abians — including those behind bars who deserve a second chance.