CSR: EKEDC donates relief materials to Ikoyi prisons

LAGOS, Nigeria – The management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EKEDC), has donated food items and other relief materials to Ikoyi Prison inmates as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The company also reiterated its commitment and support toward humanity through its CSR initiatives to give back to society.

Chief Executive Officer of EKEDC, Mr Adeoye Fadeyibi said the gesture was geared toward identifying with the inmates and a little way of contributing to the environment where EKEDC does business.

Fadeyibi, represented by the company’s Chief Financial Officer, Mr Joseph Esenwa , said the company would continue to support Ikoyi prison initiatives to ensure conducive atmosphere for the inmates.

He said the essence of the visit was to identify with the society and inmates, adding that EKEDC cannot afford to neglect impacting positively on the society. According to him, the company is known for its humanitarian initiative, empowers and provides succour to the less privileged and the vulnerable.

“In line with our vision, I have come here to let the inmates know that we are not giving up on them, and that they have a bright future ahead outside of this place. Whatever happens, they are still Nigerians, and needed to know that EKEDC cares for them and being made happy.  They still have a lot to contribute to the society irrespective of their present circumstances,” he said.

Fadeyibi assured that the company would assist the prison in renovating some of the building and also ensure prompt support to the inmates in terms of medicine and other needs. He urged the authority of Ikoyi prisons to reach out to the company for the well being and development of inmates.

The EKEDC boss said the company would continue to ensure stable power supply to the premises, as part of its obligations.

In his remarks, the Deputy Controller of Prisons who received the items on behalf of the inmates, DCP. Ogunshakin Ajiboye commended the company’s gesture. Ajiboye, urged other Nigerians of goodwill and NGOs to emulate the kind gesture to complement government’s efforts in taking care of prisoners.

He said that the rate of of crime in the country was alarming and urged parents to be the first to teach their wards at home and be more guided.

“The welfare of prisoners is of paramount importance to government, and every effort by organisations and kind hearted individuals will assist greatly in achieving that aim. He explained that the prison which had a capacity of 800 was having over 2,937 inmates, saying, ‘it was too congested’. According to him, a total number of 2,937 inmates, 2,444 are waiting trial,while 493 were sentenced.

“The rooms are over crowded, we have between 120 to 150 inmates occupying a room. I appeal to the Lagos State Government to always turn minor cases to community services or little fines than sentence which adds to the congestion,” he said.Ajiboye said that some inmates had learnt so much from the prison which had reformed their characters and attitude to conform to societal norms.

He said that the prison had over 80 inmates writting the GCE, over 57 sat for JAMB and scored over 180 in the exam, while some inmates were studing at the National Open University (NOUN). Ajiboye appealed to corporate organisations and NGOs to assist in providing external teachers that would teach the inmates.

“Science teachers has been a major challenge to the inmates, we urged corporate organisations and NGOs to assist in that direction, he added. He also appealed to Eko Disco to assist the prison on prompt electricity supply. The items handed over to the Prison authority by EKEDC during the Ramadan  season includes – Diesel Supply, Energy saver bulbs, Bags of Rice, Bags of Gaari, Groundnut oil, Packs of bottle water.

Others are packs of soft drinks, cartons of insecticide, toiletries, beverage amongst other items  such as rice, detergents, toothbrush, toothpaste, detergents and others which run into thousands of naira.