Abuja: The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), FCT Command, has entered into a partnership with the Luchi Advocate Foundation (LAF) to provide vocational training for inmates at the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kuje. This collaboration was established when LAF donated vocational equipment and welfare materials to the inmates, as announced by NCoS Public Relations Officer in FCT, DSC Duza Adamu.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Luchi Advocate Foundation is a Nigerian non-profit and people-centered organization, founded by Oluchi Uche, a legal practitioner. The intervention highlights the growing importance of cooperation between correctional institutions and civil society organizations to promote rehabilitation and support the reintegration of inmates into society. Adamu emphasized that this partnership aligns with the agency’s efforts to enhance inmate rehabilitation and reduce recidivism within Nigerian correctional centers.
Adamu further explained that Christopher Jen, the Controll
er of Corrections in the command, commended the foundation for its intervention. Jen acknowledged that the partnership supports the NCoS mandate of reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration. He encouraged inmates to take advantage of the opportunities for learning and personal development. He stated, “The greatest appreciation any organization can receive is to see beneficiaries make productive use of the opportunities provided. Learn diligently, produce quality work, and apply these skills positively when you regain your freedom. That is the true value of this gesture.”
Jen also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to building partnerships with non-governmental organizations, faith-based institutions, and other stakeholders focused on inmate welfare and rehabilitation. In presenting the items, Uche, Founder and Chairman of LAF, shared insights from her experience within the criminal justice system, emphasizing the need for stronger support structures for inmates preparing to re-enter society.
Uche expl
ained that the intervention aims to support inmates currently involved in vocational training in tailoring, soap making, and other trades as part of the service’s rehabilitation programs. She emphasized that rehabilitation should be intentional and sustainable, ensuring that release translates into dignity, productivity, and lawful living rather than a return to crime. She added that meaningful rehabilitation extends beyond confinement and must include skills acquisition, mentorship, and resources for long-term economic independence.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the items donated by the foundation include packs of cooked food, bottled water, and two sewing machines for tailoring training. Additional materials provided include supplies for liquid soap, disinfectant, and air freshener production, along with materials for practical tailoring exercises.