Musa Yaro, Calabar
In the spirit of Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Otu, was at the main Correctional Centre in Calabar to felicitate with the inmates.
Otu, who was accompanied by his wife, Rev. Eyoawan Otu, said the visit to the Afokang Correctional Center was to identify with the inmates during the Sallah festivities and to encourage them not to give up hope.
“We are all in the world, sometimes we experience bad, sometimes good. I am here to assure you that all hope is not lost. We decided to come and celebrate here with you because you deserve it.
The First Lady of the State, Rev. Mrs. Otu, who organized the event, said it was aimed at giving the inmates a sense of belonging and sharing the love as exemplified by the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim.
Rev. Otu said it was her way of sharing love with the inmates and encouraging them as being in prison is not the end of the road for them.
Earlier, the Comptroller of the Nigerian Corrections Centre, Cross River State Command, Mr. Adeyinka Adebayo, expressed appreciation to the governor and his wife for the visit, explaining that the Afokang Prisons has a total of 573 inmates, with 67 on death row and pleaded with the governor to assist in providing some basic needs of the prison facility.
“Let me say a very big thank you to your Excellencies for making time to visit us. 99 percent of the Inmates we have here are from Cross River State. From what you have seen here, you will agree with me that, inside here are enormous potentials as displayed here. It is our prayer that you will please extend the dividends of democracy to us here,”
Food items, toiletries, and cash donations were among the items donated during the visit.
