A foremost humanitarian organization, Enyioma Foundation INT’L on Wednesday 14th February, 2024 stormed the Nigerian Correctional Service, located in Umuahia Abia State capital to show love and celebrate inmates in the spirit of love.
During the outreach tagged, “Enyioma Foundation International Valentine Special Visit to Inmates”, the Foundation equally offset the required fine to facilitate the release of an inmate who is still detained due to his inability to raise the money for the fine.
The Director General of the Foundation, Arc. Chris Nwosu, on behalf of the founder/president of the foundation, Chief Dr Enyinnaya Duke Ako Atulomah led the members of the board to the visit.
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The DG who made the first point of call to the office of the Deputy Controller of Corrections, Umuahia, SC Anya Aghara explained that the essence of the visit is to show compassion and empathy to the inmates and also give them a sense of belonging, even as the world is celebrating Valentine today. He informed them that the foundation has provided the required funds to facilitate the release of an Inmate who has gone through all legal processes but has not been freed due to his inability to raise the fine.
“Enyioma Foundation’s goal and objectives is to reach the vulnerable in society. We have done educational and health outreaches and supported businesswomen with funds and today, the founder, Chief Enyinnaya Duke Ako Atulomah decided to celebrate specially the inmates to show them love”. DG added.
In his response, the Deputy Controller of Corrections, Umuahia Correctional Service, SC Anya Aghara after listening to the noble and massive humanitarian acts and interventions of the foundation, rated the foundation above excellence and urged them never to relent in their efforts to ameliorate the sufferings of the less privileged.
He thanked the foundation for remembering the inmates. He said the foundation’s visit epitomizes the essence of compassion and humanity. According to him, such initiative plays a pivotal role in addressing the needs of the inmates and offering hope for a better future.
“By demonstrating solidarity with inmates, the organization not only uplifts spirits but also promotes the values of empathy and community. This noble gesture is a powerful reminder of the positive impact that collective goodwill can have on those who are often forgotten or overlooked”, he added.
The DCP, SC Anya Aghara used the opportunity to appeal for more support from the foundation for inmates who needs as low as N10, 000 fine to be freed but are still retained in the facility due to their inability to raise the money. He also pleaded with the foundation to come to the aid of some inmates who need proper medical attention.
“We have about 763 inmates , both male and female in the Nigerian Correctional Service, Umuahia, Abia State. Some of them have passed through all legal processes and trials and just need like N10, 000, N20, 000 and above to be released but still in their facility due to their inability to pay the fine.
Speaking further, he said,” We have one woman here awaiting trial from Obinkita Arochukwu who has developed epilepsy and bed sore and has stayed more than 3 months in FMC Umuahia. Her medication was stopped in the hospital due to her inability to pay the hospital bills and she needs more proper and further medical care. Also, we have a man here, who has developed a serious eye problem that’s rendering him blind and he needs eye surger to restore his sight, among others”.
“Like Oliver Twist, we will continue to ask for more. We are pleading to the foundation and other well-meaning individuals and NGOs to come to our rescue to tackle the epileptic power supply and lack of money to buy fuel to power the generator and pump water when there is no light, among other challenges they are facing in the facility”.
He however, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the foundation and prayed to God to continue to bless and protect the founder/President, Chief Dr Enyinnaya Duke Ako-Atulomah for his thoughtfulness and generosity, which he described as unprecedented. He said he would inform the Controller of Corrections, Abia State command, Julie M. Anyanwu about the foundation’s visit and the items brought so that they will write an appreciation letter to the founder for his act of kindness to the Nigerian Correctional Service, Umuahia Abia State.
In response to the requests made, the DG of the foundation asked the Correction service’s medical team to assess the medical condition of the above-mentioned inmates who need medical care and also prepare a list of the inmates whose fines are within a paltry sum and send to the foundation to look into it for prompt intervention, even as the foundation has paid the fine for an Inmate who will be released tomorrow.
Highlights of the visit were the presentation of a specially designed wall clock from the foundation to the DCP and the donation of food items, water, and soft drinks to the inmates as Valentine’s gifts.
