Nigeria’s Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, has expressed the readiness of his ministry to collaborate with a non-governmental organization (NGO), Dream Again Prison and Youth Foundation, to meaningfully impact the lives of young inmates in the Correctional Centres in Nigeria.
Mr Olawande stated this when he played host to the leadership of the foundation, Mr Bashiru Adamu, in his office in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
The minister, who described the foundation initiator as a gift to humanity, observed that most youths lack engagement. He, therefore, emphasized the need for the government and youths to synergize.
While referring to the attitude of people to inmates in the correctional centres, Olawande said that everyone has a destiny, and no individual can be described as entirely bad.
“Every life is a storyline. Stories can be realities when God is in charge. Unlock your mind and live your dream. If you do that, you won’t be hindered by what people say or do to you,” he added.
The minister, reminiscing about his life, noted that the goals of the foundation are similar to his theme in life, which is to ‘put the people first’.
“My dreams might be outside the prison, but I am also ready to take the dream to the prison, if need be,” he added.
Speaking further, Mr Olawande commended the zeal, efforts, and volume of achievements by the foundation and reassured them of his readiness to collaborate with them.
Earlier, the team leader and founder of the organization, Mr Bashiru Adamu, explained that the foundation originated from his community development service during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) days in Otukpo, Benue State, North Central Nigeria.
He further said that the aim of the foundation is to equip young inmates with skills that will contribute to their productivity and success upon reintegration into society.
Mr Adamu announced that the foundation has expanded its reach to six prison locations across Nigeria, including Lagos, Abuja, and Kaduna.
He disclosed that his organization had set up libraries and classrooms to empower youths in correctional centres who, according to him, constitute approximately 95% of the incarcerated population nationwide.
Success Stories
Recounting the foundation’s success stories, Mr Bashiru cited the case of an inmate, who sat for his senior secondary school examination (SSCE) and had his first degree while in the correctional centre.
“The inmate, who is currently undergoing his masters degree programme, has written a book, with six hundred (600) copies already printed and scheduled to be launched by the foundation next year,” he disclosed.
Also speaking, a beneficiary of the foundation and former inmate, Mr Akpoo Thomas Ogah, shared his transformative journey, crediting Mr Bashir and the Dream Again Foundation for changing his life through skills acquisition.
He told the minister that after he regained his freedom, he successfully launched his business and even participated in the prestigious National Expo 2020, where he represented Benue State and earned recognition from the National Council for Arts and Culture.
