Over 100 inmates receive counselling, food support in Bayelsa
More than 100 inmates at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Okaka, Bayelsa State, have benefited from a counselling outreach and food donation programme organised by the Counselling Association of Nigeria (CASSON), Bayelsa State Chapter, in partnership with the Successful Motherhood Initiative (SMI).
The outreach combined professional counselling services with the donation of food items to support inmates’ welfare and rehabilitation. Items donated included 10 bags of garri, 2 bags of beans, 2 gallons of palm oil, and 1 gallon of vegetable oil.
*Members of Vaddonb at the Counselling Outreach held at Okaks Correctional Centre, Yenagoa
Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa
More than 100 inmates at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Okaka, Bayelsa State, have benefited from a counselling outreach and food donation programme organised by the Counselling Association of Nigeria (CASSON), Bayelsa State Chapter, in partnership with the Successful Motherhood Initiative (SMI).
The outreach combined professional counselling services with the donation of food items to support inmates’ welfare and rehabilitation. Items donated included 10 bags of garri, 2 bags of beans, 2 gallons of palm oil, and 1 gallon of vegetable oil.
The inmates received counselling focused on behavioural change, emotional well-being and character development aimed at preparing them for successful reintegration into society.
Speaking during the programme, the Chairman of CASSON in Bayelsa State, Mr Julius Lambert Nyananyo, who was represented by Prof. Agnes Maliki, said inmates remained members of society and deserved support, care and opportunities for reform.
He urged members of the public to regularly support correctional centre inmates, noting that such gestures help them feel valued rather than abandoned.
Nyananyo said the collaboration between CASSON and SMI reflected a shared commitment to promoting hope, rehabilitation and social reintegration through professional counselling interventions.
He encouraged inmates to take advantage of government rehabilitation programmes and use their time in custody to become responsible and law-abiding citizens.
The Bayelsa State representative on the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission and CASSON Vice-Chairperson, Dr Helen Inafa Bob, described the outreach as rewarding and impactful.
According to her, giving people a renewed sense of purpose and positively impacting lives remains one of society’s greatest responsibilities.
She noted that the large turnout of inmates for counselling highlighted the need for greater societal support, stressing that successful reintegration benefits both former inmates and the wider community.
CASSON commended the officers and personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Okaka, for providing a conducive environment for the successful implementation of the programme.
The association also acknowledged the contributions of Prof. Agnes Maliki, Prof. Victor Torubeli, CASSON members, postgraduate students of Guidance and Counselling from Niger Delta University, media practitioners and SMI executives for their roles in the success of the initiative.
The outreach, held on 18 June, underscored CASSON’s commitment to promoting counselling services as a tool for rehabilitation, reintegration and national development.
