Chidinma Ojukwu, charged with the murder of Super TV Chief Executive Officer, Usifo Ataga, on Wednesday, graduated from the Onesimus Project Life Recovery pre-release empowerment programme at the Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre, Lagos.

Ojukwu was one of 29 inmates, both male and female, who completed various skill-building programmes in the initiative organised by the Prison Fellowship of Nigeria, in partnership with Covenant University and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria.

During the 13th graduation and 14th matriculation ceremony held on Wednesday, Ojukwu joined 10 other female inmates in receiving certificates for completing the programme.

Additionally, 11 other female inmates and 18 male inmates matriculated, marking the beginning of their journey in the programme.

In total, 18 male inmates graduated as well, signifying the programme’s commitment to equipping inmates for a fresh start.

The Project Coordinator, Pastor Sule Bamigbola, reported significant progress in 2024, with 525 inmates successfully graduating and 60 others matriculating.

“We achieved a recidivism rate of only 11 per cent, which makes this project a huge success,” he said.

He explained that the Onesimus Project was designed to shape participants into role models, equipped to share their experiences and new skills upon release.

“The essence of this project is to make graduates role models by the time they go out there, so they can tell people they’ve passed through the Onesimus Project,” Bamigbola added.

As part of the project, inmates learned various vocational skills, including shoemaking, soap production, leatherworking, barbing, and farming.

These activities allowed them to generate income while still in custody.

“We have inmates learning shoemaking, soap-making, leatherwork, and more,” Bamigbola noted.

“While they work, we sell these products through marketers and share the earnings with the inmates,” he added.

Highlighting the project’s impact, Bamigbola mentioned that Covenant University donated a 400-litre capacity mixer to help inmates produce goods in larger quantities.

He shared some of the challenges, including a need for more classroom space after losing a section that was previously used. “The small place we were managing was demolished, so we need facilitators and classrooms,” he stated.

Representing the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Mr Haliru Nababa, Deputy Controller of Corrections, and officer–in charge of Medium Kirikiri, Mr Daniel Ogu, spoke about the importance of forgiveness in rehabilitation.

“Exploring the healing power of forgiveness is essential,” Ogu said.

“Forgiving others also releases you, allowing for personal freedom,” he added.

He commended the programme for reshaping inmates and reminded them to avoid bitterness.

“Our students have realised the impact of crime and the importance of change,” he added.

He lauded the Prison Fellowship of Nigeria, SMEDAN, and other organisations for their role in making students responsible ex-offenders.

The spiritual father of the day and Foursquare Gospel Church’s General Overseer, Rev Dr Sam  Aboyeji, who was represented by Rev Dr Emmanuel Adejoro, delivered a sermon on forgiveness, taking lessons from Matthew 6:14 and Mark 11.

“If you do not forgive others, you cannot be forgiven,” he stated, emphasising the limitless nature of forgiveness.

He urged the inmates to start by forgiving themselves.

“The first thing you need to do is forgive yourself. Do not allow bitterness to take root in you. You are being equipped to be useful outside,” Adejoro encouraged.

The Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University, Prof Abiodun Adebayo, represented by the Dean of the College of Leadership and Development Studies, Dr Dayo Odukoye, shared motivational advice with the inmates.

“There are over 3,000 people in this correctional centre, but you have been chosen. Take this opportunity seriously,” Odukoye advised.

“God has given you talent, and if you develop it, you will become a master of that talent,” he said.

He stressed the importance of positive thinking, saying, “Create your world with words. Speak what you want, and transform your mind. Without a transformed mind, your life cannot change.”

The Executive Director of Prison Fellowship Nigeria, Benson Iwuagwu, reflected on the journey of the Onesimus Project, which began 13 years ago.

“When we started, it was like a child’s play, but any seed God plants does not die,” he remarked.

Iwuagwu expressed gratitude to all partners, including Citadel Church, and highlighted the importance of community support in transforming inmates’ lives.

PUNCH