Minister of State for Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Olawande had an engagement visit to the Medium Correctional Centre, Kuje, to engage with inmates. The visit, according to the Minister, was instigated by the realisation that almost 90% of inmates are youth, a situation that makes the youth ministry a very important partner in order to enable better livelihood for inmates at various correctional centers across the country.
The Minister assured the inmates of the intention of the Ministries of Youth Development and Interior to collaborate in the delivery of training for inmates, in both vocational and digital skills, as a means of assisting them to settle back into the society. He also noted that a wide range of sensitization programs will be initiated to give the public a better narrative and view of inmates and ex-convicts in the country.
Seizing the opportunity to also present the initiatives and programs of the Ministry, the Minister encouraged the inmates to seize the opportunities to better their lives and become productive citizens. Thereafter, he undertook a tour of the facilities at the Correctional Centre and purchased some items from the inmates who are engaged in shoe making, especially.
The Minister was accompanied on the visit by the SSA to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, Ms. Rinsola Abiola; SSA to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education, Ms. Abiola Arogundade and the SA to the President on Youth Initiatives (Monitoring & Delivery), Ms Titilope Gbadamosi.