We are now business owners because of our experience in Kirikiri prison

Two ex-inmates of Kirikiri Jail, Lagos State, James Etuk and Olawale Dada, have stated the carpentry expertise they acquired throughout their incarceration resulted of their changing into joint-owners of a furnishings firm. The duo, who spoke on vocational talent acquisition for teens, stated prisons throughout the nation must be rehabilitated to satisfy modern calls for.

The joint-owners of Alpha Furnishings Works Restricted, instructed the Information Company of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that their mixed seven years sojourn at Kirikiri Jail weren’t wasted. Etuk, who was imprisoned for petty stealing and shoplifting in 1987 and spent 4 years at Kirikiri Jail, stated the power at the moment was much better than now.He additionally lamented the recurrence of jailbreaks within the nation, blaming the directors of services for his or her nonchalance and inhumane disposition. He stated: “Then, whereas in jail, our mindset was each day centered on what we might interact ourselves in after leaving the yard that can allow us re-integrate properly into the society.

“Due to the great dealing with of the place by the directors, the considered jailbreak was not in any inmate’s thoughts. I improved on the carpentry expertise I acquired, via commentary and studying via furnishings works albums to satisfy up with the present pattern.”Dada, the co-owner of the furnishings firm, on his half stated: “I spent three years in jail. I used to be in the identical cell with Etuk and we have been pardoned on the identical time. So we started to observe what we have been taught within the jail at development websites at Festac.”

Dada stated it was after working at varied websites for 2 years that they have been capable of pool their assets collectively and rented a store at Agboju Market in Lagos, the place they made furnishings for provide to sellers at Alaba Worldwide Market.

In the meantime, no fewer than 30 households attended the tip of the yr party held by the Jail Fellowship Nigeria (PFN) at Tinubu Sq. in Lagos underneath the auspices of its Angel Tree Programme (ATP).

On the occasion held at Methodist Church of the Trinity, Tinubu Sq., the ATP coordinator, Olaka James Endy, stated PFN held the occasion to make members of households of inmates really feel at residence. He stated when a father is imprisoned or put in jail custody, it’s the spouse and kids that suffer.

“The household suffers, faculty charges can now not be paid, goals shatter or die. However we’re right here to encourage you; put smiles in your faces and present you that we care,’’ he added.

PFN Lagos Chairman, Rev John Olawepo, urged the households to be sturdy of their religion. He stated: ‘’There isn’t a one with out a problem. At occasions when there’s a problem, your loved ones or pal might abandon you. We’re brothers and sisters. No matter is your downside, we’re right here to present it an answer,’’ including that somewhat love proven the members of the family would go a protracted method to ameliorate their state of affairs.