DCC David Akadiri, Officer-in-Charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Agodi, Ibadan, reported this on Wednesday during the third edition of the centre’s Inmates Debate Competition, themed “Drug Abuse is a Major Contributor to Criminal Behaviour.”
The debate focused on the relationship between drug abuse and criminal behaviour, with Team A arguing in favour of the topic and Team B opposing it.
Akadiri said custodial centres were established to reform inmates, correct their behaviour and help them become responsible members of society.
He explained that the government had created an enabling environment for the NCoS to fulfil its mandate of reforming, correcting and rehabilitating inmates through educational and vocational initiatives.
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“The government has created an enabling environment by establishing a school within the facility; workshops have been created here, and instead of them sitting idle, they can engage themselves in productive activities.
“By the time they leave this place, they will be very useful to themselves, their families, and society at large,” he said.
Akadiri also described drug abuse as a harmful phenomenon capable of leading individuals into undesirable situations, stressing the centre’s efforts to counsel inmates and encourage them to stay away from drugs.
He said the centre was optimistic that inmates would become good ambassadors of society after their reintegration.
Mr Aderibigbe Iyanu, a representative of Taming Wonder, one of the partners in the debate initiative, said the programme was designed to remind the public that inmates still possessed abilities, ideas and potential.
Iyanu said the debate provided an opportunity for inmates to learn, think critically, express themselves and engage with important issues affecting society.
He commended the inmates for their participation and appreciated the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Agodi, for providing a platform for the initiative.
An Assistant Commander of Narcotics Godwin Mercy, of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Oyo State Command, urged Nigerians to shun drug abuse and misuse to reduce crime to the barest minimum. Team B won the debate with 84 points, while Team A scored 80 points.
NAN
