The Niger Delta Development Commission has delivered relief materials to the Nigerian Correctional Service in Rivers State as part of efforts to ease the impact of the country’s economic challenges on inmates.
Speaking during the presentation on behalf of the NDDC Managing Director, Samuel Ogbuku, the Director of Social Services, Jeremiah Oritsejolone, said the support aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the commission’s drive to improve lives in the Niger Delta.
Oritsejolone said the initiative shows the commission’s dedication to helping vulnerable people and institutions across the region.
He said: “The NDDC recognises the current global economic hardship, which has also affected Nigeria. Although we cannot reach every community and institution at the same time, we deliberately identify the most vulnerable communities and organisations for intervention to help alleviate their suffering.”
He added: “This year alone, the Commission has provided relief materials to several communities affected by flooding and environmental degradation. We remain committed to extending similar interventions to other deserving communities and institutions across the region.”
He continued, “The inmates in our correctional centres are members of our society. They are our brothers and sisters, and many of them will eventually reintegrate into their communities. It is therefore important that we support them and contribute to their welfare.”
The Director of the NDDC Rivers State Office, Okezie Ule, described the donation as a sign of appreciation for the role of the correctional service in preserving peace and security.
He stated: “The presence of this delegation today is an indication that we recognise and appreciate the invaluable services rendered by the Nigerian Correctional Service. Without institutions like yours, maintaining law and order in society would be difficult.”
Responding, the Controller of the correctional service in Rivers, Richard Moses Williams, thanked the NDDC for the intervention and called it a compassionate gesture toward inmates.
He said: “Today is indeed a special day for the officers, staff, and inmates of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Rivers State. This gesture demonstrates that the NDDC understands the importance of caring for the less privileged in society.”
He added: “We assure the Commission that the relief materials will be distributed equitably across all custodial centres in the state, ensuring that every inmate benefits from this intervention. We sincerely thank the management of the NDDC for this generous support.”
Also, the state coordinator of the Sustainable Development Goals, Ipalibo Madodoye, praised the NDDC for the effort, saying it supports goals such as quality education, gender inclusion, and justice.
