By Felix Kuyinu
The Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development has launched an Initiative to provide educational welfare to young inmates in the state’s juvenile homes.
The Ministry, establishing the program, Junior Education Program, JEP, in partnership with the Centre for Legal Support and Inmates Rehabilitation, CELSIR, disclosed that the initiative will ensure that the young inmates are not deprived of quality education, and also provided adequate support for their rehabilitation.
During the launch of the program held at the Special Correctional Centre For Boys in Oregun on Thursday, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, who was represented by the Director of the Ministry’s Social Welfare Department, Toyin Jaiyeola, said: “This initiative marks a significant milestone in our efforts to rehabilitate and empower the young minds within our correctional facility in alignment with Mr Governor’s THEMES plus Agenda of ensuring that no one is left behind.
“The Ministry will equip them with resources necessary to foster academic and personal development.
“We call on other public spirited individuals and organizations to join the state government in giving succour to the young people.”
The Executive Director of CELSIR, Joke Aladesanmi, stated that the socio economic demographics of incarcerated individuals in Nigerian Correctional Centres predominantly consist of the young, poorly uneducated and economically disadvantaged persons.
Aladesanmi hinted that the unwanted situation propelled her organization’s collaboration with the state government for the measure.
She noted that the program aims towards empowerment through education, prison library projects, vocational and life skills training.
The association’ director further said: “The launch of the Juvenile Education Program (JEP) represents a pivotal moment in our collective journey towards reforming the juvenile justice system in Nigeria.
“This initiative marks a critical step forward in our mission to provide sustainable comprehensive and quality education to young individuals in correctional facilities in Nigeria.”
