Prison Welfare Ministry

Objective

The Prison Welfare Ministry was established to cater for the social, medical and spiritual needs of inmates and detainees in prison custody. The scope of activities has over the years expanded to include the legal, pharmaceutical and educational needs also.

Ministrations (Service Areas)

The core service areas of the Prison welfare Ministry include:

1. Spiritual Aid: This is a key aspect if not the most important service the ministry renders. The Ministry fellowships with the inmates of Ikoyi Correctional center once a month the fourth (4^th) Sunday. The service holds within the prison premises in Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

The fellowship with the inmates is an outreach for winning souls for Christ. Many people have answered alter calls and have thereby given their lives to Jesus Christ through this means.

2. Medical: The ministry with the help of surgeons carried out surgeries (for hernia) on affected inmates. This was however put on hold when kirikiri clinic where the operating theatre was located became non-operational.

However, to the Glory of God, the Ministry (through the Church) started the rehabilitation of the clinic and the construction of a surgical theatre in Ikoyi Correctional center for the inmates. It was completed, dedicated and handed-over on the 22^nd January 2023 by the supervising Bishop, Rt. Rev’d. Dr. James Olusola Odedeji. The handover of the equipment for the Theatre to the authorities of Ikoyi Custodial Centre was done by the Bishop of Lagos Diocese, The Rt. Revd. Ifedola Senasu Gabriel Okupevi done on the 19th of December 2023 at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre. Therefore, the expectation is that the surgery will commence in 2024

The ministry also works with the doctors in the correctional centre to provide other medical services to the inmate.

3. Pharmaceutical: As part of its activities, the ministry (through the help of the church and the members) regularly provides drugs to the inmates. Through the support of members of our Saviour’s Church, the ministry provided drugs to cater for the medical needs of the inmates.

4. Legal Aid: The ministry provides legal aid and advice to inmates who have been in detention (awaiting trial) for unusually long periods, without any meaningful Government intervention/support. Thus, we have succeeded in helping some of them gain their freedom to the glory of God.

5. Educational: The Ministry assists willing inmates who want to further their education by paying the fees for their WAEC/GCE ordinary level and JAMB examinations. We also help to finance the University education of some of the inmates at the Open university.

6. Others: We provide other miscellaneous support such as; financial aid for discharged inmates, provision of uniforms for the choristers, maintenance of the Chapel, counselling and support of inmates with special needs, etc.

Meetings

We have our monthly meeting at the Chapel extension, every second (2^nd) Sunday of the month after the second service.

Executive Members

Below are the executive members of the Prison Welfare Ministry;

1. Dame Nancy Oghenekaro Chairman
2. Ize Matebese Vice Chairman
3. Arinze Chukwudile Secretary
4. Omolara Akisanya Treasurer

Appreciation

We appreciate the vicar, the clergies and the members of the congregation for their support to the Ministry to meet the spiritual, medical, financial and other needs of the inmates of Ikoyi Correctional Center. May our Almighty God continue to reward your labour of love.

Conclusion

Hebrews 13:3 which says “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you are also in the body”.

You have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the prisoners by putting a smile on their faces and giving them hope for a better tomorrow. We therefore welcome you to be a part of this Ministry by giving your time, talent and treasure for the work of God.

Thank you.