……EKEDC reteirates commitment to humanity
The management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EKEDC), has donated food items and other relief materials to Ikoyi Prison inmates as part of of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The company also reiterated it’s commitment and support towards humanity through its CSR initiatives aimed at given back support to society during a courtesy visit to Ikoyi Prison in Lagos.
Its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Adeoye Fadeyibi, said the gesture was geared toward identifying with the inmates and also a little way of contributing to the environment where EKEDC does business.
Fadeyibi, represented by the company’s Chief Financial Officer, Mr Joseph Esenwa , said the company would continue to support Ikoyi prison initiatives to ensure conducive atmosphere for the inmates.
According to him, the company, which is known for its humanitarian initiative, empowers and provides succour to 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 and being made happy.
“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 building and also ensure prompt support to the inmates in terms of medicine and other needs.
He urged the authority of Ikoyi prisons to also reach out to the company in case of thier needs that could help the inmates’ well being and development.
” We are also working towards ensuring stable power supply to the premises, which is part of our obligations.
In his remarks, the Deputy Controller of Prisons who received the items on behalf of the inmates, Deputy Controller of Prison (DCP) Mr Tolu Ogunshakin commended the company’s gesture.
Ogunshakin, urged other Nigerians of goodwill and NGOs to emulate the kind gesture to complement government’s effort in taking care of prisoners.
He said that the rate of of crime in the country is alarming and urged parents to be first to teach their wards at home and be more guilded.
“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.
He explained that hat the prison which had a capacity of 800 now has over 2,9373 inmates, saying, it was too congested.
According to him ,a total number of 2,937 inmates, 2,444 are waiting trial,while 493 were sentenced. “The rooms are over crowded, we have between 110 to 150 inmates occupying a room.
“I appeal to the State Government to always turn minor cases to community services or little fines than sentence which adds to the congestion,” he said.
Ogunshakin said that some inmates had learnt so much from the prison which had reformed their characters and attitude to confirm to societal norms.
He said that the prison had over 80 inmates who wrote GCE, over 57 sat for JAMB and scored above 180 in the exam, while some inmates were also studying at the National Open University (Noun) .
He appealed to corporate organization and NGOs to assist in providing external teachers that will teach the inmates which had been a challenge for the inmates.
” Science teachers has been a major challenge to the inmates, we urged corporate organization and NGOs to assist in this direction.
He also appealed to Eko Disco to assist the prison on prompt electricity supply.
The items handed over to the Prison authority by EKEDC during the Ramadan season includes – Diesel Supply, Energy saver bulbs, Bags of Rice, Bags of Gaari, Groundnut oil, Packs of bottle water.
Others are packs of soft drinks, Cartons of Insecticide, CartonsToiletries, Cartons of Beverage amongst other items of rice, detergents ,toothbrush,tooth paste,detergents, among others which runs into thousands of naira.
