By Babatunde Tiamiyu
As Nigerians prepare to celebrate Christmas with various activities, the Justice, Development and Peace Commission, (JDPC) Ibadan is set to reach out to inmates of the Agodi Correctional Centre, Ibadan with not just merriments but also a medical outreach.
This was highlighted during a press conference held by Reverend Father Charles Ajibaye, Director is the director of JDPC at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Bashorun.
Reverend Father Ajibaye stated that this year’s outreach would be significant as the Catholic Church marks the Jubilee Year 2025, themed “Pilgrims of Hope” which also features “Pilgrims of Prisoners”, reminding all that prisoners are not excluded from hope, mercy and celebration.
According to the JDPC Director, the 2025 Christmas Outreach will feature a medical outreach, aimed at addressing basic health needs of inmates, many of whom have limited access to medical care.
Reverend Father Ajibaye also called on individuals, organizations, medical professionals, and volunteers to ignite their philanthropic spirit to support the outreach.
In his address, the Chancellor of Ibadan Catholic Archdiocese, Reverend Father Anthony Omolade stated that the Church decided to celebrate with inmates to show her character as a Mother and as an agent of hope, besides the missionary mandate.
The JDPC Head of Staff, Barrister Adenike Omotara,called on the government to be more intentional about decongesting Correctional Centres, while Programme Officer, Mrs. Yetunde Ayeni called on Nigerians to support inmates in successful societal reintegration, most especially as not all of them are guilty and some are awaiting trial.
