The Coalition of Southeast Youth (CESYD) has lauded the Interior Ministry for launching a garment and shoe factory in Aba, Abia state.
CESYD Coordinator, Wisdom Akunna Fabulous in a statement issued on Tuesday, said the initiative marked a significant shift from the colonial punitive reformatory system imposed on inmates
The group disclosed that the project, undertaken in partnership with Erojim Nig Ltd, is expected to boost the local and national economy.
CESYD also explained that the project would trigger economic growth, save hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ money, and provide vocational training for inmates.
The factory, launched by Interior Minister Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, aims to equip inmates with valuable skills to earn a living.
CESYD praised the interior minister for introducing reforms in the Nigeria Correctional Centers.
The youth group however appealed to the Federal Government and National Assembly to increase budgetary allocations to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and Interior Ministry.
“The Coalition of Southeast Youths (CESYD) has welcomed the opening of a Garment & shoe factory in Abia State.
“The successful launching of this project has lifted the hearts of the youths in Abia State and the Igbo nation at large, as this singular project will trigger the local and national economy; cut down/save the nation hundreds of millions of taxpayers money that would have been expended on kitting our officers/men of the correctional services.
“The buzz that this will trigger for allied industries can only be imagined.
“With today’s launch of a brand-new Garment & Shoe Factory in Aba, Abia State by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, this groundbreaking initiative carried out in partnership with Erojim Nig Ltd, has unfettered over 100 years of colonial punitive reformatory system usually imposed on inmates, which the colonial masters bequeathed us.
“CESYD is proud that the Interior Ministry under Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has provided a breath of fresh air as our custodial centres now have for the first time in many decades, an opportunity for inmates to be equipped to better our society rather than finding their ways back to any of the 240 custodial centres.
“CSYED restates our previous call on the Federal Government of Nigeria and the National Assembly to, in the greater public interest, aggressively support the silent revolution taking place within the Interior Ministry by increasing budgetary allocations to the NCoS and indeed the Interior Ministry.
“We in the CESYD believe the best way to get even better results out of a performing Ministry or agency is by paying much more attention to such a Ministry.
“We therefore reiterate our earlier call that Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and his team be encouraged to complete the transformation process that agencies under that Ministry are currently undergoing”.
CESYD also called on the President Tinubu administration to replicate the factory across all 36 states and the FCT.