Lagos rehabilitates released prison teens, reunites them with relatives

The Lagos State government has commenced the process of
rehabilitating and re-uniting the 80 newly released teenagers from
Badagry prison to their families and relatives. The teens were last
week Tuesday released by the state Chief Judge, Justice Funmilayo
Atilade, during one of her visits to prisons across the state.

Speaking during a visit to the Oregun Correctional Home for
Boys, Lagos, where the underage inmates are being rehabilitated,
the Commissioner for Youths and Social Development, Pharm. (Mrs.)
Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, said the children have since their arrival
been subjected to series of tests, including psychiatric test to
ascertain the level of their mental alertness and sanity.

She said some of the children who have been able to provide
traceable details about their residences, parents or family members
have been reunited to their relatives, adding that the government
will contact appropriate authorities from other states to come to
the centre and identify the remaining children accordingly.

Following the disclosure by the children that over 90 per cent
of them were either living with a family member or a single parent,
the Commissioner appealed to parents to be committed to the needs
of their wards and be wary of sending their children to stay with
distant family members who they cannot vouch for.

“My advice to married couples is that they should try as much as
possible to guide against divorce because of its attendant effect
on children. Parents should spend quality time with their children,
provide for them and show care for them so that they will not be
easily swayed into crime and vices”

A Consultant Psychiatric with Lagos State College of Medicine
(LASUCOM), Dr. Olayinka Atilola, who provides medical care for the
children at the centre, disclosed that 20 of them had been reunited
with their family members.

The Lagos State government has commenced the process of
rehabilitating and re-uniting the 80 newly released teenagers from
Badagry prison to their families and relatives. The teens were last
week Tuesday released by the state Chief Judge, Justice Funmilayo
Atilade, during one of her visits to prisons across the
state.

Speaking during a visit to the Oregun Correctional Home for
Boys, Lagos, where the underage inmates are being rehabilitated,
the Commissioner for Youths and Social Development, Pharm. (Mrs.)
Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, said the children have since their arrival
been subjected to series of tests, including psychiatric test to
ascertain the level of their mental alertness and sanity.

She said some of the children who have been able to provide
traceable details about their residences, parents or family members
have been reunited to their relatives, adding that the government
will contact appropriate authorities from other states to come to
the centre and identify the remaining children accordingly.

Following the disclosure by the children that over 90 per cent
of them were either living with a family member or a single parent,
the Commissioner appealed to parents to be committed to the needs
of their wards and be wary of sending their children to stay with
distant family members who they cannot vouch for.

“My advice to married couples is that they should try as much as
possible to guide against divorce because of its attendant effect
on children. Parents should spend quality time with their children,
provide for them and show care for them so that they will not be
easily swayed into crime and vices”

A Consultant Psychiatric with Lagos State College of Medicine
(LASUCOM), Dr. Olayinka Atilola, who provides medical care for the
children at the centre, disclosed that 20 of them had been reunited
with their family members.