Quest for peace in Nigeria landed me in jail, says  National Commandant, Akoh.

Ambassador Dickson Akor sought peace in Nigeria through the establishment of the National Peace Corps of Nigeria but found himself in prison in the process

Jul 2, 2022 - 19:07
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Quest for peace in Nigeria landed me in jail, says  National Commandant, Akoh.
Dickson Akor (left) receiving an award

The National Commandant of the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), Ambassador Dickson Ameh Akoh, has revealed how his quest for the sustenance of the Corps led to his arrest and detention at different prisons in the country.

 Akoh made the revelation on Saturday while addressing inmates at the Medium Security Custodial Centre,  Otukpo, in Benue State.

He told the inmates that his experience during such detentions at the Kirikiri Maximum prison and medium prisons in Kuje and Suleja spured him to sustain his vision of empowering and mentoring youths through his organization.

Akoh, therefore, advised the inmates to see their imprisonment as an opportunity to be reformed and prepared to contribute meaningfully in national development.

He said the visit was part of his humanitarian activities to commemorate the organization 's 24th anniversary.

He stressed that inmates must not be neglected as they are still Nigerian citizens and pledged to complete the Chapel structure which was at the foundation level in the Centre. 

The Assistant Controller of the Nigeria Correctional Service Rasaq called Non Governmental Organizations, Groups and Individuals who secured release of inmates to mentor and re-orientate them psychologically as well as reintegrate them into the society.
 Rasaq explained that the Centre had frequently carried reformation programmes for the inmates but expressed regret that most inmates released usually get back to the Centre for commiting another crime. 

He stressed that if those that secured the release of the inmates follow up and meaningfully engage them, crime rate would be reduced.

He said the Centre, established in 1923 with 115 inmates had been renovated and now carry out activities such as soap making, shoe making and sports.

He advised youths to take advantage of skill acquisitions by NGOs and empower themselves to avoid crimes.

ACC Rasaq appreciated efforts of the Peace Corps of Nigeria on youth empowerment and urged other organizations to emulate it.

One of the released inmates, Moro Benjamin expressed appreciation to the PCN and pledged to avoid crime at all costs.

Our Correspondent reports that the Peace Corps secured the release of four inmates with automatic employment and donated items such as cow, bags of rice, bags of salt, gallons of groundnut oil, and other foodstuffs.