PPDC, FIDA Conduct Health Outreach at Lafia Correctional Centre, Donate Medical Consumables to Inmates
Assure Female Inmates of Free Legal Representation, Encourage Rehabilitation Through Skills Acquisition
By Suleiman Abubakar Rimi Uku Lafia
The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), in collaboration with the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Nasarawa State Chapter, has conducted a health outreach at the Lafia Correctional Centre, donating medical consumables and other relief materials to inmates as part of efforts to support their welfare and promote access to justice.
The outreach formed part of activities under the “Decongestant Prisons in Nigeria Project,” aimed at improving the condition of inmates and advancing justice sector reforms across the country.
Speaking during the visit, the Programme Manager of PPDC, Joshua Uban Esu, said the organization remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote inmates’ welfare, access to healthcare, and justice sector reforms in Nigeria.
He noted that the collaboration between PPDC and FIDA was designed to provide humanitarian assistance and legal support to vulnerable inmates, particularly women awaiting trial without proper legal representation.
Also speaking, the State Chairperson of FIDA, Barrister Halima Hudu Abubakar, said the intervention reflects the association’s commitment to humanitarian service, inmates’ welfare, and legal support for vulnerable persons in custody.
She urged inmates to see their stay at the correctional facility as an opportunity for reformation and self-development, encouraging them to embrace vocational training programmes and western education available within the centre.
Barrister Halima further advised the inmates to remain hopeful, disciplined, and law-abiding, stressing that rehabilitation and reintegration remain key objectives of the correctional system.
During an interactive session with female inmates, the FIDA Chairperson assured them of the association’s readiness to protect their legal rights and facilitate access to justice.
She disclosed that FIDA would provide free legal representation to female inmates without legal counsel, emphasizing that financial challenges should never deny anyone fair hearing and justice before the law.
The inmates expressed appreciation to PPDC and FIDA for the visit, describing the outreach as timely, impactful, and encouraging.
