Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir, on Wednesday, visited inmates of the Bauchi Correctional Centre in the spirit of the New Year 2025, sharing food and drinks with them.
The lunch, which took place inside the walls of the Correctional Centre, was organised by the State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management to celebrate the New Year 2025 with the inmates and make them feel a sense of care and concern.
The Governor, while speaking during the lunch, said that every year comes with its own challenges, urging people to be ready to confront such challenges.
The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alh. Aminu Hammayo, said an individual’s ability to persevere, be patient, and committed are the things that go with prayers to be able to overcome them.
According to him, “It is our hope and prayer that God will see us through 2025 and every challenge that comes would be met and addressed as it comes.”
He added, “Individually, in our own personal capacity, we also have challenges and some of our brothers and sisters are here today because of the challenges of life.”
Bala Mohammed added, “The government identifies with every citizen of the state, whether in challenge or out of any challenge, and that is why we have made it a point of duty that on the 1st of January of every year, an occasion like this is organised.”
“This is to felicitate with our citizens that are by the circumstances of life here at this point in time,” he added.
Also speaking, Commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajiya Hajara Wanka, said that the Governor mandated the Ministry to have the New Year lunch with the inmates so as to give them a sense of belonging.
Hajara Yakubu Wanka said, “From the looks on their faces, it seems the mission is accomplished and we are hoping they will be changed people.”
She added, “We also went to the women’s wing where we interacted with them and we promised to take their cases like awaiting trials and we are hoping that the government will assist them.”
While responding, the Controller, Nigeria Correctional Service, Bauchi, Mohammed Isa, said that the gesture was the second of its kind in the state.
He appreciated the Governor and the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management for finding it necessary to spend time with the inmates.
According to him, the Governor has always been supportive in order to ensure that the inmates feel comfortable in the facilities across the state.
Items were later donated to the inmates by the state government, including 250 pieces of mats, 250 pieces of blankets, and 250 pieces of eating plates.
Some of the inmates commended and appreciated the Governor for the gesture, saying that it was a demonstration of his humane nature and kindness, assuring that the memory will linger on in their minds.
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