Cleric, Obiano’s wife counsel prison inmates against jail break
Prison officials in Onitsha prisons may have taken precautionary measures to avert any possible jail break in the prison as rumours were rife of an impending jail-break in the structure built during the colonial era.
This, however, coincided with the traditional Easter visit of the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Okeke, to the inmates.
His visit, which also coincided with that of the wife of the Anambra State Governor, Chief Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, witnessed the confirmation of 15 inmates of the prison into the sacrament.
During a sermon, in a denominational Easter Mass, presided over by the Archbishop, who was in company of other priests, the cleric advised inmates to remain calm and never think of engaging in any form of protest no violence against the prison authorities as it may spell further doom on their lives.
He reminded the inmates that the prison was only a place of reformation, so that they could become useful people in the society after serving their terms.
He mentioned the late President of South Africa, Dr. Nelson Mandela, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, as former prisoners who later became their country’s leaders and urged the inmates to think in the same direction, rather than causing more ruin to their lives with violent protests.
Archbishop Okeke later donated cartons of toothpaste, cartons of Indomie Noodles, Cabin biscuits, toilet tissues, soaps, cream and one live cow to the inmates.
Chief Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano said she decided to celebrate Easter with the inmates because of her love and care for the people and cautioned against any attempt of jail-break by the inmates.
She advised the inmates to comport themselves orderly, so as to benefit from numerous programmes established by her foundation, which were aimed to cater for the needs and welfare of youths.
“I have a programme through my foundation that takes care of youths in skill acquisition. I advise you not to engage in any attempt of jail-break or violent protest to be eligible to benefit from the programme.
“This is not a bad place. It is a good place where you can be reformed to be better people in the society. We will continue to do everything to treat you equally.”
She later made a cash donation of N200, 000 and other food items to the inmates.
The Deputy Controller, Onitsha Prisons, Mr. Alex Odita, thanked the Archbishop and the governor’s wife for their generosity and assured them that every inmate would be entitled to his or her privileges as long as they conducted themselves orderly.
He assured that the days of mutiny were over as every inmate in the prison was there on individual capacity.
