The Comptroller, Borstal Institution gave the commendation while receiving the Commissioner, Ministry of Women, Children and Social Affairs, Barr. Olubukola Olaboopo during a visit to the institution to check on the welfare of Osun State children who ran in conflict with the Law and were sentenced by Courts of Law to the Borstal Institution, Abeokuta, Ogun State which is the Nigeria Correctional Centre's Juvenile Section. She noted that Osun is the first State to pay such a visit.
The Commissioner had earlier disclosed that the purpose of the visit was to identify with the children, boost their morale, give them hope and a sense of belonging. She mentioned that the visit is in fulfilment of the commitment of the State government to the welfare of children irrespective of the circumstances they find themselves.
Olaboopo added that the Governor of the State is exceptionally empathetic to children's causes.
She expressed satisfaction with the educational, vocational and reformatory trainings being offered by the facility.
Addressing the Comptroller of the Correctional Centre, Mrs. Victoria Fatodu and the staff members of the institution, the Commissioner said "The government of the State of Osun believes that a number of these children acted out of youthful exuberance, lack of parental care&guidance and very importantly, out of ignorance but unfortunately, there is no ignorance in Law. As a government, we are convinced that whatever happened that brought them here, must not define them or truncate their future''.
She reiterated a firm belief that a lot of the children are bright and ready to learn, all they need is someone to tutor them so as to bring out their God given gifts. She added that all children belong to the State and that the State will not forsake, abandon or neglect them because of their mistakes.
The Commissioner advised the children to be focused and pay close attention to various instructions and training given to them to enable them turn out well mentioning that to be great in life, one must sacrifice and go through certain hurdles.
The Comptroller of the Centre while responding, explained that the Borstal Institution is a place where Juvenile offenders are remanded and given both educational and vocational training to rehabilitate and reform them before reintegration into the society.
She added that there are only three of such Institutions in Nigeria and that the institution has successfully trained and graduated thousands of young people, with inmates participating in Joint Admission and Matriculation Broad (JAMB), National Examination Council (NECO) and Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) among others.
According to her "22 students of our institution did well in the last JAMB and are awaiting Admission to higher institutions of learning ".
The Comptroller stressed further that, vocational training such as tailoring, bricklaying photography, electrical,fine art carpentry and painting to mention a few are available for some of the children who do not have interest in formal education.
She appreciated the Commissioner and her entourage noting that children from Osun are distinct in behaviour and doing greatly in their studies. 28 indigenous children are in the centre.
She called on various Nongovernmental agencies, individuals and cooperate organizations to support the Federal Government to keep the institution running as intended.
On the Entourage of the Honourable Commissioner was the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women, Children and Social Affairs, Pharm. Omolara Ajayi, Director of social welfare services, Mrs Hannah Mosadomi, Senior Special Assistant on women and children Affairs, Hon. Bola Jimoh and State Social Welfare Officers in the Ministry. Necessaries such as clothes, trousers, food stuff, provisions, boxers, sandals etc were taken along for the use of the children.
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