By Female inmates at the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Oyo State Command, received messages of hope and encouragement on Sunday as the facility held its first gender-focused celebration of International Women’s Day at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ibadan.
The programme, organised by the command’s Gender Unit and themed “Taking a Step of Transformation and Hope,” brought together 17 female inmates and representatives of the Nigerian Correctional Officers’ Wives Association (NICOWA) for a day of support, reflection and renewed commitment to rehabilitation.
Speaking at the event, the Officer-in-Charge of the Agodi Custodial Centre, Adekunmbi Sunday, described the inaugural celebration as a milestone in promoting gender-responsive correctional administration within the service.
According to him, programmes designed to address the needs of female inmates play an important role in supporting their emotional and psychological well-being while advancing the rehabilitation goals of the correctional system.
The Gender Desk Officer, EF Bolarinwa, also highlighted the activities of the Gender Unit in Oyo State, stressing the importance of targeted interventions aimed at supporting women in custodial facilities.
Activities at the event included a symbolic “Song for Mothers” jointly performed by NICOWA representatives and inmates, celebrating the resilience, strength and nurturing role of women in society.
Talk sessions were delivered by officials including Ige Abimbola of the Public Relations Unit, Bolarinwa, and NICOWA Programme Coordinator in Oyo State, Falaye, who encouraged the inmates to pursue personal transformation and prepare for successful reintegration into society.
The inmates later expressed appreciation to the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, the Controller of Corrections in Oyo State, Cornelius Olusegun Osogun, and other officials for organising the programme, which also included the distribution of welfare items such as toiletries, beverages and sanitary products.
