Oshiomhole aghast Nigeria feeds a dog with N800 per day; an inmate with N750
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Nigeria spends more money to feed prison dogs than it does on putting food in the stomach of human inmates, Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) Director General Haliru Nababa has just told lawmakers.
Nababa made the disclosure during 2024 budget defence session with the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Interior at the National Assembly (NASS) in Abuja.
Joint Committee Chairman Adams Oshiomhole expressed shock, asking “How can you look us eye to eye and tell us that you feed a grown up man in Nigeria with N750 a day?”
Oshiomhole was once in social advocacy as Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, before he became Edo Governor, and now a Senator.
Nababa explained the NCS has written to Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo requesting the amount spent on feeding an inmate be raised from N750 per day to N3,000.
“We are still waiting for approval. We are therefore seeking the assistance of the National Assembly to approve the increment,” Nababa pleaded.
“We have made provision for the feeding of inmates, dogs and staff on training in six training institutions across the country. The money is grossly inadequate. The total number of inmates in 2023 is 81,354 nationwide while 53,352 are awaiting trial.
The budget for feeding each of them is N750 per day at N250 per meal, per inmate.”
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Dogs receiving better car than humans, Oshiomhole laments
Oshiomhole wondered how the NCS manages to feed the inmates with such a paltry sum going by the current market prices of commodities, according to New Telegraph.
“Our prisons are meant to correct the behaviours of the people. They are not condemnation centres. They are not to be dehumanised,” he reiterated.
“How can you look us eye to eye and tell us that you feed a grown up man in Nigeria with N750 a day?
“One thing that has come out is that a yet to be convicted Nigerian is being fed with N750 and you feed each of the dogs under your care with N800 per day.
“So, a dog is better fed in Nigerian prison than an innocent Nigerian in your custody.”