Honour Made in Prison
By Anthony Akaeze
Monday, May 12, 2008
Inmates of the Ikoyi prison honour Oluseun Shogboola, registrar of the National Industrial Court with a football match watched by top prison officials in Lagos
It is not common for the public to be invited to sporting events involving prisoners. That is why, for many of the invited guests who heeded the invitation to Ikoyi prisons that April 18, the football match played in honour of Oluseun Shogboola, had its special appeal. Shogboola is the chief registrar of the National Industrial Court as well as the Secretary General of the Prison Rehabilitation Mission International, PREMI. The match was between Tejuosho Striking Force and Barrister Shogboola Unbeatable, two teams made up of inmates of Ikoyi Prison. And the guests that came were not disappointed.
In terms of skills and artistry, players of both teams gave the crowd something to remember, thus bringing back memories of the 1982 World Cup when Paulo Rossi, the Italian who was recalled from prison to be part of his country's team, stole the show by emerging the star of the tournament. In the end, Unbeatable triumphed over Striking Force by a lone goal. The goal was scored by Benjamin West, the captain of his side.
The football match was the star event preceding the award ceremony in honour of Shogboola. She was honoured by the Lagos State prison command for her role in helping to rehabilitate prisoners across the country. Michael Onadepo, the Lagos State Prisons controller, acknowledged the effort of Shogboola in encouraging prisoners to engage themselves constructively during and after their time in prison. According to Onadepo, Shogboola is "more of a prison service official" in view of her commitment to the cause of prisoners. He noted that the woman had actively collaborated with the "After Care Scheme," a project of the Nigeria Prison which assists prisoners to learn useful vocational skills while in prison so they could later become useful to themselves and society after serving their terms. By associating with the After Care Scheme, as well as in her own personal capacity, Shogboola has helped to rediscover, rehabilitate and reposition many inmates and that was why Onadepo said her efforts would remain indelible in the hearts of many people.
Owolabi Otun, a former inmate of Ilesha prison now out of detention recalled the assistance rendered by Shogboola to inmates of Ilesha prison. He said they learnt useful skills through her assistance, and that she also helped to facilitate their release by taking up their matter with the federal authorities. "Your heart is made of gold," he told Shogboola.
The contributions of Shogboola was also acknowledged by Kayode Williams, a pastor and member of PREMI. He said the woman had done so much in providing succour to prisoners, and enjoined other members of the public to emulate her. Noting that prisoners need love in and outside the prison, Williams appealed to the government as well as public spirited individuals to offer them help.
Kehinde Olalekan, the deputy controller of prisons in Lagos spoke in similar vein. He urged the society to accord and treat prisoners with respect and dignity shown other members of society. This is also in recognition of the fact that many prisoners undergo reformation while in prison, and thus come out better individuals. There had been cases of inmates, he said, who had the courage to enrol at the Open University for the purpose of acquiring higher education. That shows that many of the inmates no longer desire to go back to crime after serving their terms but are rather concerned about earning an honest living like other law abiding citizens.
Onadepo also said that for those who learn carpentry and similar skills, for instance, the government encourage them by giving them tools to start business. He cited one Emmanuel Thomas who left Ikoyi Prison six years ago and now earns a living as a barber because of the training and assistance he received from the prison authorities.
Sam Apalowo, a director of rehabilitation in the ministry of youths and sports, who represented the Lagos State commissioner for youth and sports, said the Lagos State government was not unaware of the need to help rehabilitate ex-prisoners and that was why it created a department for that purpose in the ministry. He, however, admitted that it was a big challenge for only the government to effectively rehabilitate ex-prisoners because of pressing needs and difficult economic situation.
Adedapo Tejuoso, the Osile Oke-Ona of Egbaland, who is also the chairman of the governing Council of PREMI, presented the award to Shogboola on behalf of the Nigerian Prisons. A delighted Shogboola thanked the Prison Service for the honour done her and reiterated her desire to continue to uplift prisoners in whatever capacity possible.
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