By: Imo Thomas -Umuahia.
As part of activities marking the second anniversary of the Otti-led administration in Abia State, the wife of the Governor, Her Excellency Mrs. Priscilla Otti, visited the Afara Correctional Facility in Umuahia, where she led a humanitarian outreach and delivered a message of encouragement, redemption, and empowerment to the inmates.
This message of hope and empowerment was contained in a press release signed by Justice Ndubueze, media aide to our reporter in Umuahia on Thursday.
The release said that the visit underscored the administration’s belief in the dignity and potential of every Abia citizen, regardless of circumstance.
“It also reflected the broader vision of the Governor and his wife to ensure that even the most marginalized are not left behind in the development and compassion-driven governance taking root across the state.”
The release stated that Her Excellency encouraged the inmates to remain hopeful and to take practical steps toward a better future. She emphasized that the correctional facility should not be seen as an end, but as an opportunity for renewal and transformation.
She further disclosed that she would be stepping up her support for skill acquisition and empowerment programs within the correctional facility, having already extended such interventions in the past.
“Strengthening rehabilitation through skills development is key to ensuring that inmates can successfully reintegrate into society upon release.”
Her Excellency also revealed ongoing efforts by the current administration to partner with the Ministry of Justice, legal aid organizations, and civil society groups to expand access to justice for inmates who lack proper legal representation.
In her speech, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Maureen Aghukwa, praised the Governor and his wife for placing the welfare of the vulnerable at the forefront of the administration’s priorities.
She encouraged inmates to see their current situation as a temporary phase and to make the most of every opportunity for learning and transformation.
Welcoming the delegation, the Controller of the Abia State Correctional Headquarters, CP Mrs. Josephine Ogbeifun, expressed profound gratitude for the timely and impactful outreach.
She lauded Her Excellency, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, for her consistent and compassionate support to the facility, describing her as a dependable ally and a mother figure to both staff and inmates.
CP Ogbeifun emphasized that Mrs. Otti has demonstrated unwavering commitment, making it a personal responsibility to stand by the facility at every critical moment. She prayed for renewed strength and continued success in Her Excellency’s humanitarian endeavors.
An inmate who spoke on behalf of others (name withheld), thanked Her Excellency for what he described as a motherly gesture that has rekindled hope and dignity among the inmates.
The event featured the donation of essential supplies, including a cow, bags of rice, beans, toiletries, and cash support.
