Ajadi Marks Birthday At Correctional Centre, Urges Hope For Those Under Custody
Ambassador Ajadi flanked right by his wife, Mrs Oyndamola, left by his running mate, Alhaja Sikirat Arowolo and others cutting his birthday cake.
In a rare show of love, the Ogun State gubernatorial candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi, has, celebrated his birthday at the Ibara Correctional Centre, Abeokuta lighting the hope of those under custody.
He also used the opportunity to appeal to the federal government to improve the conditions of correctional centres to make it reformatory and not punitive.
Ajadi who was accompanied by a high-powered delegation of party members, associates and supporters, advised the people under custody not to lose hope but to believe that someday, they would leave the correctional centre.
While advising them to continue to be thankful to God, he said: “Let me give you one reason: There is a wise saying, that a living dog is better than a dead lion. And if you are alive today, you can be great tomorrow.
“Let me also remind you that one of the most respected Nigerian statesman, who is also from Ogun State, and former Army General, and later president of the country, our father, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, had been in prison. Nelson Mandela, who later became South African President, and one of the greatest African statesmen also served prison terms.
“But you know what? These men behaved themselves in prison”, he encouraged them.
Urging the government to see to the improvement of the conditions at the centres and indeed prisons in the country, Ajadi bemoaned a situation whereby those in custody were left to be battling bed bugs and other harsh conditions.
Such a situation was not reformatory but punitive and likely to harden the hearts of some.
“I told myself that my birthday this year would not be complete if I do not come to celebrate with you and to share these few words of encouragement. “It is a token of the love that I have for you, and indeed for all human beings, because it is God that created all of us.
“If I a human being can remember you, then God remembers you, even in prison”.
“What we are praying for in our country, is for good leadership. Yes, you have made a mistake, but the conditions here can be better.
“It should help to reform you, to be able to come back to the large society better, but if the conditions in the prisons are not conducive, then it has become punishment rather than reformation.
“So, I use this opportunity to call on the governments, to please, make the conditions of our prisons better.
“Not a place where inmates would be battling bed bugs and other terrible conditions. Let prison conditions be better”.
Major highlights of the visitation included formal release of his biodata to aid journalists and other biographers to have access to credible information about the gubernatorial candidate.
There was also a novelty football match during which Ajadi presented cash gifts to players from both teams, to outstanding players as well as well-behaved male and female persons in custody.
He also donated two sets of jerseys, promising that his legal team has commenced the process that would lead to the release of four persons held for minor charges.
The four inmates that he paid for to get their freedom are Dare Lawal, Damilola Opebi, Shina Oyebola, and Oluwasegun Ayobami.
The paper works, he said, had been completed, and the concerned persons would breathe the air of freedom before the end of next week.
The Guild of Professional Analysts of Nigeria (GPAAN) which sent a team led by its national president, Mr Oyoze Baje to see things for themselves first-hand eventually presented the celebrant with a plaque of honour, saying his philanthropic gestures spoke volumes.
