By Thompson ABISOLA
Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EKEDC), on Tuesday donated food items and other relief materials to Ikoyi inmates as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Adeoye Fadeyibi, said the gesture was geared towards identifying with the inmates and also a little way of contributing to the environment where EKEDC operates.
Fadeyibi, represented by the company’s Chief Financial Officer, Mr Joseph Esenwa, said the company would continue to support Ikoyi Prison’s initiatives to ensure condusive atmosphere for the inmates.
According to him, the company, which is known for its humanitarian initiatives, empowers and provides succour for the less privileged and the vulnerable.
“In line with our vision, I have come here to let the inmates know that we are not giving up on them, and that they have a bright future ahead outside of this place.
“Whatever happens, they are still Nigerians, and needed to know that EKEDC cares for them.
“They still have a lot to contribute to the society irrespective of their present circumstances,” he said.
Fadeyibi assured that the company would assist the prison in renovating some of the buildings and also ensure prompt support to the inmates in terms of medicine and other needs.
Responding, Deputy Controller of Prisons who received the items, DCP Ogunshakin Ajiboye, commended the company’s gesture.
Ajiboye urged other Nigerians of goodwill and NGOs to emulate the kind gesture of the company to complement government’s effort in taking care of prisoners.
“The welfare of prisoners is of paramount importance to government, and every effort by organisations and kind hearted individuals will assist greatly in achieving that aim,” Ajiboye said.
He explained that the prison which had a capacity of 800 now has over 3,012 inmates, making it congested.
According to him, out of 3,012 inmates, 2,532 are waiting trial, while 479 have sentenced.
“The rooms are overcrowded; we have over 150 inmates occupying a room. I appeal to the State Government to always turn minor cases to community services or little fines instead of sentence, which adds to the congestion,” he said.
Ajiboye said some inmates had learnt so much from the prison which had reformed their characters and attitude to conform to societal norms.
He said the prison had over 70 inmates’ writing the GCE, five at the National Open University (NOUN) while one is studying for PhD.
The DCP also appealed to Eko Disco to assist the prison in terms of prompt electricity supply.
The items donated included bags of rice, detergents, toothbrushes, tooth pastes, detergents, among others.
