Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has called on the Federal Government to implement skill acquisition programs for inmates nationwide. He believes that such initiatives would significantly aid in rehabilitating inmates, particularly the youth, and prepare them to lead more positive lives, thereby contributing productively to societal development.
During a visit to the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Onitsha on Christmas Day, Obi observed that the Skill Acquisition Centre, established through the efforts of Archbishop Valerian Okeke, was fully operational. Inmates were actively engaged in acquiring various productive skills.
Additionally, Obi noted that the inmates now have the opportunity to take their National Business and Technical Examinations Board examinations at the centre. He commended the National Open University of Nigeria for setting up a study centre within the correctional facility, emphasizing the importance of education in national development.
Obi expressed his appreciation for Archbishop Okeke’s continuous interventions and contributions to the correctional facility and society at large. He urged the government to replicate such positive developments across other correctional centres in the country.
This call aligns with Obi’s previous advocacy for skill development among inmates. In April 2024, during an Easter visit to the Onitsha Correctional Centre, he encouraged inmates to view their time in correctional facilities as an opportunity for self-improvement, urging them to cultivate skills and embrace righteousness for societal integration upon release.
Obi’s consistent emphasis on education and skill development underscores his commitment to human development as a critical tool for national progress.
