Articles & News

November 17, 2008

Mrs Yar'Adua Unveils Centre for Prison Inmates

From Okon Bassey in Uyo, 11.16.2008

The First Lady of Nigeria, Hajiya Turai Yar�Adua, has called for a better trial and living condition for inmates in various remand homes and prisons across the country describing them as victims of destiny.
Hajiay Yar'Adua made the called yesterday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Capital while commissioning a N70 million Reformative Centre built by the wife of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mrs. Ekaete Unoma Akpabio.
The First Lady, who noted that the centre is named after her, Turai Umaru Yar�Adua Reformation Centre expressed optimism that with the type of facilities in place the centre will ultimately change the inmates into better citizens.

She observed that the home is another effort at tackling the problem associated with juvenile delinquency in the state and urged inmates in the centre to use their sojourn to reflect in their lives and work for a change.
The First Lady challenged parents to shape the lives of their children as future leaders especially those who have been inflicted with one form of social vice or another at a tender age.

As parents, we adults owe it a duty to help shape the lives of our children as future leaders especially those who have been inflicted with one form of social vice or another at a tender age.

Inmates in remand homes and prisons are victims of destiny and therefore deserve better living conditions. What we want from you is to use this sojourn to reflect on your lives and work on your own for a better life, she advised.

Hajiya Yar'Adua, who was on a on- day visit to the state had earlier commissioned the ultra modern Itam Retail Market where she called on women in the state to form cooperative societies to enable them access soft loans and other benefits from government.

Also speaking, wife of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mrs. Ekaete Unoma Akpabio, said the commissioning of the Reformation Centre by the First Lady demonstrates her deep love for the well-being of the Nigerian child.

She said the Hajia Turai Umaru Yar'Adua Reformative Centre is a private initiative built at the cost of about N70 million from corporate and private donations.

According to her, the centre is named after the First Lady because of her unrelenting and patriotic campaign against HIV/AIDS, violence against women and children, maternal mortality and infant morbidity.