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Thirty-four inmates, comprising 17 men and 17 women, have graduated from a rehabilitation programme at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kirikiri, Lagos, following vocational training organised by Prison Fellowship Nigeria.
The graduates completed the Onesimus Project, which combines skills development with efforts to prepare inmates for responsible living after their release. Six participants received recognition for outstanding performance, while the overall best student, a woman, was presented with a sewing machine to support her future work.
Pastor Sule Bamigbola, who spoke at the ceremony, said the initiative was established to address the problem of former inmates returning to prison. He disclosed that research by the organisation initially indicated a high rate of repeat incarceration, but subsequent efforts had reduced the figure to below 15 per cent, according to the organisation’s findings.
The Assistant Controller-General of Corrections for Zone A, Unazi Ogaba, represented by Lagos State Controller of Corrections Olusegun Monehin, urged the graduates to apply their training and avoid criminal activities. He described their achievement as evidence that people can change and make positive contributions to their communities.
Prison Fellowship Nigeria Executive Director Jacob Tsado, represented by Niyi Sanusi, called on communities to give former inmates opportunities to rebuild their lives rather than stigmatise them. The project manager, Pastor Felix Anayo, disclosed that 52 inmates initially expressed interest in the training, but 34 completed it, while the organisation said 752 inmates had graduated from the programme since its establishment.
