I was once a prisoner, Zamfara Governor tells inmates

Posted by admin Governors, Headlines, State News, Zamfara Sunday, July 10th, 2011

Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, has advised prison inmates in the state to be patient and faithful to God, saying their stay in prison was a test of faith even as he disclosed that he once found himself in their situation.
“I was once a prisoner. Ironically, what happened was that I was to be a witness and I refused to honour the court’s invitation. So, the judge felt I committed contempt and directed that I should be remanded in prison. I spent five days in prison custody,” he said.

The governor made the disclosure on Friday evening while addressing inmates of Gusau Medium Prisons when he paid them a visit.
He assured them that his administration would improve the welfare of prisoners in the state pointing out that from his experience in prison, he knew what prison life was all about.

He also promised that a committee would be set up by the state government to look into their cases with a view to granting amnesty to those who are due for release and those that have spent many years awaiting trial.
The governor promised the prisoners that a two-block class room would be constructed while the Skills Acquisition Centre at the premises of the prison would be rehabilitated so that the inmates could continue to learn more skills.

He, however, donated 32 cows ahead of Ramadan to the inmates even as he promised each of them sets of clothes that they would wear during Sallah celebration.
Meanwhile, the Controller in-Charge of Gusau prison, Mohammed Mu’azu Bichi, has canvassed for the establishment of prison stakeholders’ forum in the state.
The forum, he said, would serve as an avenue to discuss issues concerning the inmates.

-Sunwp_posts