…. As Inmates Engage in Football Tournament
By Solomon Ewela, Benin
The Edo State Controller of Nigeria Correctional Service, Sunday Oyakhire, has called on the state governor, Monday Okpebholo to improve on the facilities at the centre to quicken the reformatory process of the inmates.
He made the appeal at the 2025 Inter-Cell Football Competition organized by the Nigerian Correctional Service, Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) Oko, Benin, in conjunction with CMC Rights Advancement and Information Initiative, with the tag: “Civil Rights Cup”
Mr. Oyakhire said the government has to improve on the facilities at the Centre because 95 percent of the inmates are indigenes of the state and based on that, improving on the facilities is not a misplaced priority at all.
You can see from the turnout from the match itself. It was so entertaining. I feel proud. Having given this opportunity to invite people to see what is happening behind the wall, they have actually seen that we are not idle.
“What we are doing here is is a thing you can compare to any parts of the world. And that is the truth.
“Like I said, the about 95 percent of people will keep here, they are indigenous of this state. And that is why we need the presence of the state government to be able to bring to bear the programmes that are set out to reform this image.
“Our workshops need the attention of the state government. The equipment we have now, they are insufficient and obsolete.
“And you know the world is going technological and sophisticated and we need the government to provide these things that are now needed and not those more boring things.
“Our workshops are crying for the presence of the government. We have all the workshops present here. Carpentry workshop, the metal workshop, the tailor’s workshop.
“In fact, we have a studio recording workshop. They have been able to produce music from this place.
And if the government comes in, we will do better”, Oyakhire said.
While commending the organizers of the tournament, the Minority Leader, Edo State House of Assembly, Charity Aiguobarueghian, said the inmates have demonstrated a very high sense of sportsmanship adding that with this, they have know that they have talents that can be traded for a good life outside.
Also commending the players for demonstrating their skills and talents, member representing Oredo East Local Government Area of the state, Uyi Omosigho, said being behind the bar doesn’t mean the end of their lives and that they should look beyond their present state and keep hope alive.
The organizer and founder, Civic Rights Advancement and Information Initiative, Mr. Andrew Akpor, called on well meaning Nigerians, organizations and government at levels to lend an helping hand to those kept behind bars and let them see that they can still make a meaningful life despite their present state.
The tournament however saw “Block D” emerging the winner of the 2025 Inter-Cell Football Competition.
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