The Traditional Ruler of Edem-Ani Ogwugu Community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, HRM, Igwe Samuel Asadu has promised to intervene in some of the dilapidated infrastructures at the Nigeria Correctional Service ((NCS), of Nsukka Custodial Center to make the environment habitable for the inmates.
Asadu made the promise in Nsukka on Monday when he paid a visit to the center to donate food, drinks, and toiletries to the inmates.
Packages of cooked jollof rice with a bottle of water and a soft drink were shared to the 384 inmates at the custodial center as lunch.
He said that he was at the Custodial Center to see the inmates and support them with food, drinks, and toiletries as well as to pass a message of hope to them for a better life when they regain their freedom.
The monarch who is also the Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, expressed concern over the poor state of infrastructure in the center and promised to intervene as much as he could.
"I know that this place is a federal government establishment, but we should not leave everything to the government alone, we should assist the government in our various capacities.
"After going around the environment, I will take the responsibility of reroofing some of the buildings whose roofs are leaking seriously to the extent that inmates get soaked when it rains.
"I believe in the saying that all men and women created by God need a touch of hope and love irrespective of their present situations," he said.
The royal father also promised to provide legal aid to inmates with minor cases who lack funds to file their cases in court to secure their freedom, as well as to pay for the inmates who were great bail, or discharged with fines but were unable to meet up with the financial demands for their freedom.
"I know some of you are here because you do not have people who will speak for you and provide money for your cases.
"I will provide assistance to some of you with minimal cases the much I can to ensure you regain your freedom and turn over a new leaf," he said.
The traditional ruler, however, urged the inmates to see their stay in the center as a period of reformatory and correction so that when they come out they will be useful for themselves as well as the society.
“We are here to share love and remember our brothers who are kept here for various reasons in accordance with the laws of the land.
"I am sorry that I neglected you people for a very long time, i promise to make it up by visiting here from time to time to assist in the little way I can.
"I encourage all inmates to see their present circumstance as a call for attitudinal change to become better citizens to yourself, to our nation and humanity," he said.
Early in his welcome remark, Mr. Leonard Nwigwe, assistant controller in charge of Nsukka Custodial Center, thanked the royal father for his kindness and generosity, describing his visit as a "huge blessing to the custodial center."
Nwigwe stated that the service is open to accepting donations from individuals, groups, and religious organizations, adding that the center is faced with challenges despite the much the federal government has done to ensure that inmates are comfortable.
"Staff and inmates of the Nsukka Custodial Center are happy to receive Igwe Asadu today who has demonstrated his willingness to assist in some of the challenges facing the center.
"His visit today is a blessing and a good omen to the center because he is someone who loves to better the lot of others," said.
Nwigwe lists some of the needs of the center which include, reroofing of some of the buildings that the roofs had been blown off, sinking of water borehole, equipping of the center's clinic, among others.
"We are open to receiving intervention to any of the needs of the center from good-spirited individuals and organizations to enhance the living conditions of inmates in the center," he said.
Speaking on behalf of the inmates, an inmate identified as General Provost, thanked Asadu for providing them with food, drinks, and toiletries, as well as his promise for free legal aids and the reroofing of some of the center's building.
The traditional ruler was accompanied during the visit by his wife, Her Royal Majesty, Lolo Happiness Asadu, Innocent Asogwa, Edem-Ani community legal advisor, Chief John Okayi, Chief of Staff to Igwe Asadu, among others.
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