More than 100 inmates of the Agodi Correctional Centre in Ibadan, including suspected serial killer Sunday Sodipe, have graduated from rehabilitation and discipleship programmes organised by the Oyo State chapter of Prison Fellowship Nigeria (PFN).
The graduation ceremony, held on Tuesday at the correctional facility, marked the completion of the School Transformation Programme (STP) and The Prison Journey (TPJ), two initiatives aimed at promoting character reformation, spiritual growth and successful reintegration into society.
Sodipe, who gained national attention as a prime suspect in a series of alleged ritual killings in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State, was among the beneficiaries.
He was first arrested on July 11, 2020 and escaped from police custody in Mokola, Ibadan, on August 11 of the same year, before he was rearrested on August 23, 2020.
The event was marked by an atmosphere of celebration as inmates participated in praise and worship sessions, singing and dancing alongside volunteers and visitors.
Speaking during the ceremony, Chairman of Prison Fellowship Nigeria, Oyo State chapter, Prophet Boyede Sule, said the eight-week programme was designed to foster spiritual restoration, rebuild dignity and prepare inmates for productive lives after incarceration.
According to him, the STP and TPJ courses equip participants with biblical values, life skills and renewed hope for reintegration into society upon release.
“The eight-week programme is organised for the spiritual restoration, restoration of dignity and promotion of societal reintegration of inmates,” Sule said.
He explained that the initiative focuses on transformation, forgiveness and responsible citizenship, adding that PFN remains committed to expanding its rehabilitation efforts to reach more inmates across correctional facilities.
Sule urged the graduands to become agents of positive change and encouraged Nigerian youths to avoid activities that could jeopardise their future.
“My advice to Nigerian youths is to disengage from any act that can lead them to prison. If Nigeria is to be our future, that future must not be dented. Our future must start on a very solid foundation. For Nigeria to be better, I see Nigerian youths as potential leaders who must become good and law-abiding citizens,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Oyo State Chaplain of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Reverend Sunday Odekunle, praised Prison Fellowship Nigeria for supporting government efforts aimed at rehabilitating inmates.
Odekunle noted that programmes such as STP and TPJ play an important role in helping inmates develop positive values and become better citizens after serving their sentences.
Family members of inmates, correctional officers and church volunteers attended the graduation ceremony, where certificates were presented to the participants amid prayers and songs of thanksgiving.
The organisers expressed optimism that the knowledge and values acquired during the programme would contribute to reducing recidivism and improving the chances of successful reintegration for the graduands.
