By Isaac Eranga
Benin City: A one-day edutainment therapy programme has been held for inmates of Nigeria Prisons now Correctional Service, Benin Custodian Center, Sapele Road, Benin City.
The programme which was tagged ‘Talent Discovery Among Inmates’, was put together by Securing the Creative Gold mine in Youths Initiative and Courageous World Foundation.
Declaring the programme open, Head of the custodian center, DCC Dr. Andrew Egbobowaye encouraged inmates to freely display their talents and thanked the groups for coming.
Speaking, the Executive Director of Securing the Creative Gold mine in Youths Initiative, Mr. Edwin Asibor said they decided to organise the programme in order to harvest talents that will make the students more productive.
“We are into youth development; that is our thematic area. We decided to collaborate with Courageous World Foundation to bring out the talents in the youth. It is a rehabilitation model,” he said.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Courageous World Foundation, Mr. Courage Osa Asia said he wanted the inmates to enjoy what those outside the custodian center enjoys.
“I have been doing it for sometime now, but this is my first time in the custodian center.
“My advise to them is to conduct themselves responsibly and stay out of drugs and crimes,” Courage Asia said.
Mrs. Juliet Iyen of Smile Africa International enlightened the inmates on drugs and substance abuse. She said something is abused when it is used for what it is not met for.
Mrs. Iyen gave the following as effect of drugs abuse: youths and work force becomes less productive; it affects not only the users but friends and loved ones; it reduces the live span of many lives, etc. She said many young adults are vulnerable because they lack factual information about drugs.
Mr Edwin Asibor gave the following as causes of drugs and substance abuse: ignorance; peer influence; environment; idleness; poverty; family history; low self-esteem, etc.
Highlights include dance shows, drama presentations, comedy, singing competitions, etc
