Musician Inspires Students at Correctional Centre

Musician Inspires Students at Correctional Centre

In a bid to impact positively towards the development of our society, through the reduction in crime-rates, negative behavioral patterns, peer – group influences and other anti – social behaviors especially among youths.

The initiator of “I Believe in Prisons Reform” a project under “I Believe in Africa Initiative” – Yinka Lawanson “Lamboginny” a musician and Global Prison Ambassador (GPA) has put together a day boot camp tagged “From boys to men” in collaboration with Amakisskiss foundation at Borstal Training Institution, Abeokuta- a juvenile correctional center for the correction, guidance and training of young erring offenders to align with societal norms and standards.

The event was geared towards conscious sensitization, inspiration and motivation of young minds in custody to stay away from crime and criminal activities, negative behavioral patterns and anti-social behaviors with the aim of channeling their energy into productive and positive values that are acceptable within our society and can earn them a legitimate and sustainable living after release.

In his words, Lamboginny said the event was organized to encourage youth to live a life free from crime and to create awareness on the best possible ways to live a crime free lifestyle. He holds that the campaign is expedient due to the recent spate of violence in the country especially the way and manner youth and adolescents are getting involved in criminal activities.

He noticed that most criminal syndicates exploit the vulnerability, innocence and ignorance of these young minds to perpetrate evils by committing heinous crimes like kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry, cultism and even terrorist activities.

The Controller of Prisons Jemilehin A F (Mrs) was delighted with the concept and organization of the event. She said the program is laudable and it should the extended to all individuals that falls within the age group, she also appreciates the organizer of the event for their thoughtfulness as everyone will be worthy beneficiaries in the long run- the boys, the institution and the society, she advises them to spread the message to other parts of the country.

The event also serves as an avenue to bring the attention of the public to the challenges faced by the facility thereby focusing on areas that needs partnership, support and assistance to enhance and improve the quality of effective corrections of these young minds for a brighter future thereby making our society better, serene, save and conducive for growth and development.

The convener of the boot camp is a friend of the institution and has partnered with Nigeria Prisons Service in various capacities, the last been the Musical Concert organized at Medium Security Prisons, Kirikiri, Lagos State.

The invited guest speakers and facilitators, are from different works of life, took the young minds on a tour of their life experiences, challenges, problems encountered along their path to success. They made the students realize that there is no life without bitter challenges but everyone must remain steadfast with positive values until they arrive at their desire destination in life. The guest includes; motivational speaker and banker Mr Bayo Adeyinka, Mr. Steve Okeleji, korede Bello, Tianah, Small Doctor, Chidinma, Hon, Olamijuwonlo Alao Akala amongst others.

R B Yusuff (ASP),
PRO, Borstal Abeokuta,
[email protected]