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| Prison Entrance |
It took time for me to decide
whether prisoners actually deserve compassion and words of hope, knowing that
some had actually raped the opposite sex, robbed people of their possessions,
probably killed their fellow human beings or committed one crime or the other.
However, I realized that there are more criminals who are not locked up like
those in prisons, those who know how to cover up their crimes. They are all around
us; in the market places buying and selling, in the schools, hospitals,
government offices and houses, in work environments, even among the prison staff; stealing public
funds and what do not belong to them. It just happened that those imprisoned
are the unfortunate ones. But then, this has not changed the way I see rapists. I also realized that some of them in the prisons are
paying for the crimes they did not commit.
The hangout with prison inmates
organized by Success Step Network and sponsored by Hon. Pat Asadu Foundation
was indeed an eye opener to the solution the society is searching for; which is
to reduce crime and curb insecurity. What do I mean?
For the first time in my life I
saw prisoners; they were looking so helpless. They were eagerly peeping through
their window protectors to hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, to hear
words of hope and transformation that can change their lives. We saw prison
environment as a place where we can reach out to criminals and those locked up
unjustly; to instill morals, principles, discipline and also inject in them
sense of responsibility. Success Step Network did not just preach and empowered them with words, they presented foodstuffs and Daily Manna Devotional, and even made sure that those items went to the prison inmates.
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| Success Step Network Team with Hon. Pat Asadu |
We noticed that majority of
them are youths and males. Let us not watch and let this generation gradually waste
away. It will even be great if skill acquisition will be introduced in the
prison environment to ensure all round empowerment. With such, they will have
something to fall back on when they are released, and it will help keep their
minds busy while in prison.
Ideal Olive calls on well
meaning Nigerians to make out time to visit prisoners and encourage them with
foodstuffs and words of wisdom; just like what Success Step Network is doing.
If we don’t have the time, but have the means, we can at least sponsor those
who are willing to go; just as the likes of Hon Pat Asadu are doing.
I cannot forget Sunday, May 13th
2018 in a hurry, a day with the prisoners. How can I forget the resounding “Auntie
bye bye and Auntie bye” from the prison blocks, as we turned our back to go. We
all have work to do.
Ideal Olive commends Mr. Eric
Maduabuchi Asogwa of Success Step Network and Hon Pat Asadu for such a
memorable and rewarding habitual programme; and encourage others to toe that
path. Together, we can reduce crime in our society.
Written by Olive Chinyere Amajuoyi
Sponsored by Samweld Nditah
The most unfortunate thing is most of this prison inmates are there for crimes they did not commit. For those of them that actually deserve to do the time, I feel the government should at least improve the welfare of those inmates, by the time they come out after serving their time they will become better citizens.
ReplyDeleteThe most unfortunate thing is most of this prison inmates are there for crimes they did not commit. For those of them that actually deserve to do the time, I feel the government should at least improve the welfare of those inmates, by the time they come out after serving their time they will become better citizens.
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