The Nigerian Federal Government has called upon its citizens to embrace and accept individuals who have served their sentences, emphasizing that these ex-offenders have undergone various programs aimed at reforming and rehabilitating them.

Oluwatoyin Akinlade, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, conveyed this message during a visit to the Nigerian Correctional Service Headquarters in Abuja.

Akinlade expressed satisfaction with the vocational skills and rehabilitation initiatives provided to the inmates during their confinement.

She expressed her vision for the Nigerian Correctional Service, hoping that no offender would return to society unchanged or in a worse state.

Akinlade urged the public to refrain from stigmatizing ex-offenders and instead support their reintegration into society, as they have much to contribute to its development.

She acknowledged the efforts of the Correctional staff in ensuring that inmates do not revert to their previous behavior and encouraged the public to supplement the NCoS’s endeavors.

Akinlade also highlighted the importance of caring for the well-being of the correctional staff, emphasizing that without their welfare being addressed, effective corrections would not be possible.

The Controller General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa, echoed Akinlade’s commitment to the welfare of both inmates and staff, while also discussing the challenges and prospects faced by the service.