The wife of the Bauchi State governor, Aisha Mohammed Abubakar, has donated starter kits to 36 freed inmates trained in various skills acquisition programme.
Mrs. Abubakar had earlier secured the release of 42 inmates some months ago by paying their fines and enrolled them to a skills acquisition centre to learn various skills out of which 36 graduated.
During the presentation of the items, the wife of the governor said that she secured the release of 42 inmates from various prisons across the state which include; Azare, Bauchi, Misau, Jama’are and Ningi prisons.
According to her, the decision was borne out of the desire to take up the challenge of de-congesting Nigerian prisons through the release of inmates with minor crimes and make them to become useful members of their communities and good Nigerians.
“These challenges gingered us to embark on a project that will contribute in addressing some of these challenges. Thus we started by facilitating the release of 42 inmates with minor crimes by settling their fines and compensation,” she said.
According to the governor’s wife, out of the 42 inmates enrolled in the Skills Acquisition Centres, only the 36 graduated as three were withdrawn for not satisfying expectations, another three were sent back to prison after their graduation.
She said that the 36 graduating inmates include; 14 who were trained in Carpentry and Joinery, 11 trained in Welding and Fabrication, Five in Computer Studies, Five in Tailoring, Two in Electrical Installations, One in Bricklaying and Masonry and One in Catering and Event Decoration.
In his address, the Bauchi State Comptroller of Prisons, Hassan A. Shema, commended the governor’s wife for the gesture and help extended to the inmates as well as the prison authorities in the state.
