The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Rev. Godfrey Onah, on Tuesday, celebrated his 70th birthday with the provision of a borehole at the Custodian Centre in Nsukka.
Onah also dedicated a new Church built by the Nsukka Catholic Diocese for the centre and conferred the sacrament of confirmation to 11 staff members and inmates in the centre.
In a sermon at the newly-dedicated Church, the bishop reminded inmates that “in all things there is a need to give thanks always to the Almighty”.
He expressed concern that some inmates awaiting trial had spent more time in the correctional centre than what the law stipulated, if they had been found guilty and convicted.
“Some of the ways to decongest this centre is to set innocent ones free as well as decriminalise minor offences,” he said.
Onah revealed that he diverted the water borehole project which Chief Chidi Obetta representing Nsukka/Igboeze-South Federal constituency, wanted to dig for him to the centre due to the water problem facing the centre.
“Recently, I was told that the borehole in the centre broke down and inmates are now suffering to get water with only one water tanker supplying water daily.
“So, I am happy they have started work on that borehole yesterday. It is my birthday gift to the centre,” he said.
Onah appreciated all that joined him in the Church service at the centre to mark his 70th birthday and prayed God to bless them abundantly.
Responding, the Controller of Corrections, Enugu State, Mr Valins Obizue, thanked the bishop for his numerous support to the Custodian Centre.
“On behalf of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), I express our gratitude on the dedication of this magnificent Church building and for making conditions of inmates better,”.
He urged the bishop to appeal to the judiciary in the state to decongest the Custodian Centre through jail delivery and decriminalising minor offences.
The controller recommended that those that committed minor offences should go through non custodian sentencing.
“Every month, we do send list of inmates that have been detained over 180 days to appropriate authorities,” he said.
Highlights of the event were dedication of the new church, cutting of birthday cake and serving of food provided by Bishop Onah to inmates of the centre.
