By joshua 
Bishop Otu Commissions Skill Acquisition Centre in Calabar Correctional Center, Distributes Equipment To Support Inmates Rehabilitation
By Faith Okon-Egbujiem
First Lady of Cross River State, Bishop Dr (Mrs) Eyoanwan Bassey Otu has renovated and commissioned Skill Acquisition Centers at the Calabar Correctional Facility.
The even had the primary objective of inspiring creativity, productivity, and renewed confidence among inmates.
Speaking at the event, Bishop Otu, represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Social Welfare and Community Development, ArchBishop Prof. Margaret Ene-Ita remarked that the initiative reflects inclusivity and beats the drums of hope for the hopeless.
“As a society, we must continue to encourage hope, transformation, and self-reliance. The acquisition of practical skills is not only a pathway to economic independence but also a tool for personal development and reintegration into society.”
The administration of His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, remains committed to promoting human capital development and improving the welfare of vulnerable groups across Cross River State. Through the efforts of my office, we will continue to support programmes that uplift lives and restore hope to those in need.”
Also speaking, the Comptroller of Corrections, Aniekan Archibong Nya, represented by the Deputy Comptroller of Corrections, Ilo Moses Afamefuna described the gesture as timely and compassionate. Stating that compassion is the true foundation of justice, he thanked her for portraying such level of compassion to the seeming hopeless and voiceless in our society.
The centers renovated and commissioned include;
Male Laundry, barbing, carpentry, and welding workshop, female tailoring, and hair dressing shop, as well as the educational block.
To equip the centers, Bishop Otu distributed,
Three (3) big plastic bowls, four (4) electric irons, seven (7) packs of detergent, and 1 carton of bleach for the laundry section.
For the tailoring section, she distributed nine (9) sewing machines, two (2) weaving machines, (2) rolls of weaving threads (8) pairs of scissors, three (3) box irons, six (6) packs of sewing threads, hand needles and machine needles.
The barbing salon received 5 rechargeable hair clippers.
Likewise, the welding section received a welding machine, five (5) welding masks, five (5) hand gloves, one (1) box socket, one (1) packet of electrode, and three (3) welding tongs. While the hair dressing section received two (2) standing hair dryers, one (1) standing fan, one (1) hair washing basin, rollers, two (2) mannequins, and other hair accessories.
The educational section was not left out, it received three (3) white boards, fifteen (15) tables, thirty (30) chairs, three (3) packets of Markers, two (2) cartons of bibles, one (1) carton of Primary English Textbook, one (1) carton of primary Mathematics textbooks and dozens of exercise books.
For extracurricular activities, Bishop Otu also provided a volleyball net and a ball for the Females volleyball court.
In addition to these, Bishop Otu has successfully put an end to open defecation at the center by installing an appropriate soakaway pit behind the medical facility, reducing the possibility of a cholera outbreak as well as improving the overall sanitation and hygiene of the facility.
To give the facility a face-lift, she renovated the medical facility, the entrance, and block E1.
Highlights were the presentation of songs by the inmates and a mini volleyball game led by ArchBishop Ene-Ita.
The event was attended by, Wife of the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Mrs Nelly Ayambem, Wife of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Ass.Prof Virginia Ironbar, Chairman of Calabar South, Prof Archibong Bassey, Wives of Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, and other political stalwarts.
Faith Okon-Egbujiem is the
Press Secretary to the Wife of the Governor.