As part of activities marking its Annual Press Week, the Anambra State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has donated essential relief items to inmates of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Awka Custodial Centre, where they presented beverages, pain-relief drugs, detergents and other necessities to the inmates during the visit, which aimed to offer support and encouragement.
Speaking on behalf of the Council Chairman, the Vice Chairman of the union, Comrade Betty Oluchukwu said that the gesture was designed to inspire the inmates to view incarceration as a phase of preparation, rather than the end of their story and urged them to use the opportunity to build strength, skills, and knowledge that will aid their reintegration into society.
On his part, the Chairman of the NUJ Press week Committee, Comrade Ekpone Francis, described the visit as part of the union’s corporate social responsibility, stressing that journalists remain committed to giving back to the society.
Responding, the Comptroller of Corrections Anambra State Command, Mr. Emmanuel Nwakeze, represented by the Deputy Comptroller of Corrections, Mr. Patrick Chukwuemeka, thanked the journalists for their gesture and outlined some of the challenges confronting the facility, including lack of vehicles, inadequate medical supplies, overcrowding, and limited skills-acquisition equipment.
