Date: 2017-06-06

Members of the Ilorin Emirate Youth Development Association (IEYDA) on Sunday evening visited the Federal Prison in Ilorin to break Ramadan fasting with the inmates.

Addressing the inmates before the time, the President of the association, Mallam Abdullahi Salau said that the gesture was to associate with them as a way of encouraging them never to lose hope in the society.

He explained that the association had made arrangement for their 'iftar' (breaking of fasting) and 'Sahur' (early morning food) for 15 days in the holy month.

Salau noted that if help come from well-meaning individuals in the society, the association would complement for the remaining days. He advised the inmates never to relent, adding that they should see their present condition as God’s way of testing their faith.

"There will definitely be a light after every tunnel. Don't lose hope at all; have faith in your God and turn a new leave after your timeout here", he advised. Salau commended the Board of Trustees of the association for approving their proposal on the programme and subsequent release of money, noting that it had really touched the lives of the inmates.

Speaking with newsmen, after the event, the Publicity Secretary of the association, Usman Jagunma said that the event was made possible through the contributions from philanthropists in the town. Jagunma asserted that the association had also drilled a motorized borehole at the prison yard to address inadequate water supply.

He urged well-meaning sons and daughters of Ilorin to always support the association in its various programmes designed to touch the lives of the down trodden in the city.

In his remark, the Deputy Comptroller of Prison in Kwara, Mr Oyun Adeyinka applauded the show of love for the inmates exhibited by the youth association. Adeyinka urged other associations and the rich in the society to emulate the gesture of the Ilorin Emirate Youth Development Association.

He said that government had been trying on the welfare of the inmates, but noted however that the task of rehabilitating prison inmates should not be left in the hand of government alone.

"Government is doing its best, but the task of rehabilitating prisons' inmates should not be left with government. There must be a complementary role from the individuals and associations like this," the DCP added.

Earlier in his sermon, Mallam Muritala Otan, the National Missioner of the association raised the hope of the inmates that many of them could end up in the way of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph).

He said the Prophet later became the Prime Minister of Egypt after a sojourn in prison and many leaders in Nigeria that had one time or the other been prison inmates.