Rep. Raheem Olawuyi, member representing Ekiti/Isin/Irepodun/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency of Kwara in the House of Representatives, has urged inmates of Omu-Aran Medium Prisons to strive toward being better and responsible citizens after serving their jail terms.
TBI Africa said the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Olawuyi made the call during his familiarisation visit to the prison in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara, on Sunday.
The lawmaker said that the visit was to encourage the inmates, especially the Muslim faithful, in the spirit of Ramadan fasting.
Olawuyi urged the inmates to reflect on the significance of the holy Month of Ramadan and seek God’s forgiveness for their past mistakes and misdeeds.
He pleaded with the inmates not to lose hope but to be prayerful and see their predicaments as temporary set-back in their lives.
According to Olawuyi, everything happens for a purpose.
“Your recent status is not permanent, and with prayers and good morals, there is still a brighter light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.
The lawmaker urged the inmates to key into the Federal Government prisons reform initiative by embracing skill acquisition and vocation in order to be self-reliant.
“I think there are lots of things you can learn through the initiative for you to become better and responsible citizens.
“God can turn any situation around and yours will not be an exception,” he said.
Some inmates, in their respective remarks, thanked the lawmaker for the visit, promising to be more focused and to retrace their steps positively both inside and outside the prison.
Mr Idris Adam, a Deputy Superintendent of Prison, in his remark, expressed the prison management’s appreciation over the gesture.
NAN reports that Olawuyi and his team had also visited the prison in December and donated some food items to inmates to celebrate the Yuletide.
