A non-governmental organisation, Jelitop Skills and Empowerment Programme (J-SEDA), has launched a multi-phase support initiative for inmates at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Agodi, Ibadan, aimed at rehabilitation, welfare and post-release reintegration.
The programme, hosted by Liberty Chapel at the custodial facility, focuses on providing legal aid, food support, medical assistance and six-month vocational training for inmates.
Speaking during the launch, the officer in charge of the custodial centre, Sunday Adekunmbi, represented by Chief Superintendent of Corrections, Akeredolu, said rehabilitation initiatives were essential in helping inmates rebuild their lives.
He noted that correctional centres have evolved beyond punitive institutions into centres focused on reformation and personal development.
Akeredolu urged inmates to take advantage of the six-month skill acquisition programme, which will allow participants to learn vocational skills of their choice and receive empowerment support after release.
He also praised the initiative, describing it as a meaningful intervention capable of reducing recidivism and promoting safer communities.
In its opening remarks, J-SEDA encouraged inmates not to allow their present circumstances to limit their future ambitions, urging them to embrace the opportunities provided through the programme.
The organisation’s Media Officer, Tobi Oyekunle, explained that the initiative was designed in four phases to address both the immediate and long-term needs of inmates.
According to him, beyond rehabilitation inside the facility, the programme also seeks to ease the transition of former inmates back into society through empowerment and social support.
He further appealed to Nigerians to show greater acceptance toward ex-inmates, stressing that societal understanding and support remain critical to successful reintegration after release.
