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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Convener, Hope Alive Initiative for Africa and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, on Tuesday, secured the release of five inmates from the Kuje Custodial Centre, Abuja.
Oba Ogunwusi, according to a statement signed by the spokesperson of the Nigerian Correctional Service, FCT Command, Adamu Duza, paid the fines of the inmates in “commemoration of his 8th anniversary on the throne of his fathers.”
Duza said the monarch “secured the release of five inmates by paying their fines and promised to support the inmates’ rehabilitation with the supply of equipment to aid their skills acquisition.”
Speaking, Oba Ogunwusi said: “I am here for the real people who need hope. Your today’s condition will be history tomorrow.”
In her address, the monarch’s wife, Olori Temitope, said the occasion was not only to celebrate the reign of the traditional ruler, but also to reflect on the societal issues, adding: “We are reminded of the power of forgiveness, redemption and second chance.”
She applauded the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the correctional service authorities for their efforts in the reformation and reintegration of inmates.
The Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Ibrahim Idris, represented by Olatunbosun Ajibogun, the Deputy Controller in charge of Planning, Research and Statistics, appreciated the monarch and his wife for choosing Kuje Custodial Centre, assuring them of the service’s commitment to its mandate of reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates into the society.