By Mokwugwo Ogochukwu
The Officer-in-Charge of the Onitsha Medium Security Custodial Centre, Assistant Controller of Corrections Emmanuel Dede Kanikwu, has paid a courtesy visit to the Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke, to strengthen collaboration on inmate reformation and rehabilitation.
The visit aligns with the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2022, which promotes citizen and institutional partnerships in the reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates.
ACC Kanikwu described Archbishop Okeke as a vital stakeholder whose humanitarian contributions to the facility have been invaluable. On behalf of the Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, he conferred an award of recognition on the Archbishop in appreciation of his consistent generosity to inmates and correctional programmes.
In his response, Archbishop Okeke thanked the Service for the honour and reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to supporting correctional institutions. “Christ has taught us to love and assist those in need, including those in prison,” he said.
He urged him to serve with diligence and integrity, and assured him of continued cooperation for the welfare of staff and inmates. He also presented Kanikwu with a copy of his 2026 pastoral letter- “On Virtue and Capital Sins,”- as a guide for inmate engagement.
* Mokwugwo is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State*
