C'River Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs strengthens ties with the Nigeria Correctional Service, Seeks collaboration on refugee management and mutual support

C'River Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs strengthens ties with the Nigeria Correctional Service, Seeks collaboration on refugee management and mutual support

The Cross River State Honourable Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Helen Isamoh Egodo paid a courtesy visit to the Cross River State Command of Correctional Services. The Honourable Commissioner was accompanied on the visit by her Director of Social Protection, the Director of Humanitarian Affairs, and an administrative officer.

 The Commissioner was received by the Controller of Corrections, Dr. Kupan Danlami, the Deputy Controller of Corrections (I/C Human Resources), Mr. Effanga Nta, and other top officials of the Command. 

The Honourable Commissioner informed the Command that the primary purpose of her visit was to establish a functional relationship with the state Correctional Services Command and to firm up existing relationships with the Command. She specifically identified the issue of managing refugees in the state and spoke of the ways her Ministry and the Command could work together to humanely address matters concerning refugees. Honourable Commissioner Egodo addressed the need to train the staff of security agencies on effective management of refugees. Dr. Egodo also used the occasion to get

a sense of the functioning of the Command as well as to understand its successes and challenges. 

In his welcome address, Dr. Danlami observed that the ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Correctional Services were working to address identical issues facing humanity and to seek possible ways of alleviating human and social stress. He noted that the Correctional Services have over 244 facilities spread all over the country and holding about 75,000 inmates. Because of the meager resources available to cater to the functioning of the Services, the Command is always seeking help from diverse sectors of the society to assist with donations of items such as beddings and other necessities that would alleviate the stress on the Command and provide a more conducive environment for the inmates as well as the Command Staff. 

The Controller expressed the hope that the Honourable Commissioner would include the spouses of Command staff and other able-bodied retirees of the Command in her ministry's poverty alleviation programs. He also pledged to support the ministry in whatever capacity the Command may be needed, including offering logistical help with personnel at refugee camps and other facilities. 

The Honourable Commissioner thanked the staff of the Command for making the time to receive her and commended them for dedicating their lives in the service of humanity. She promised to continue to work closely with the Command to ensure that there were adequate resources for its services to humanity. 

Speaking on behalf of the Command staff, the Assistant Controller of Corrections (I/C Pension), ACC Elizabeth Egbe, thanked the Honourable Commissioner for her visit and for including the Correctional Services as a priority agenda in her crowded engagements. She prayed that the hard work of the Honourable Commissioner would continue to bear dividends inorder to help citizens of the state reap the benefits of her Ministry. 

Among others present to receive the Honourable Commissioner were the Assistant Controller of Corrections (I/C Staff Officer), the Superintendent of Corrections and Public Relations Officer, SC. Effanga Etim, and the Assistant superintendent of Corrections (I/C Welfare)..