By CrossRiverWatch Admin
A group of concerned Cross Riverians led by the Agba Jalingo Foundation for Investiave and Accountability Journalism, AJFIAJ on Wednesday donated foodstuffs, sanitary items and raw materials for production of hand fans to the Medium Security Custodial Center Calabar popularly known as Afokang Prison.
A total of 81 bags of rice, 900 sanitary pads and 17 sacks which will be used as raw material for the production of hand fans, were handed over to inmates and officials at the facility with a call to do more.
“The visitation is bi-annual, and began in 2019 when AJFIAJ founder, Citizen Agba Jalingo was locked up here by the Buhari and Ayade’s administrations. Since then, we have been supporting the annual football competition and we fete the inmates and staff during the Eastertide and Christmas holidays,” Jonathan Ugbal, the Deputy National Coordinator, South South of the Take It Back Movement, a partner organization of AJFIAJ told CrossRiverWatch.
He disclosed that the items were donated by different people including the State Government with one donor focusing on female inmates.
“Mrs. Emilia Eyo-Effa sent the sanitary pads informing AJFIAJ that it was the pre-birthday gift from her daughter, Phoebe, who shares the same January 2nd birthday with Citizen Jalingo to female inmates with a call on the federal government to suspend pink tax in a bid to reduce period poverty,” Mr. Ugbal told the female inmates while presenting the pads to them alongside sexual and reproductive health rights expert, Rachel Idim at the female yard.
Each of the female inmates are expected to receive 30 pads each which should last for up to three months, Jalingo had disclosed in an earlier statement.
“A very conservative estimate was the use of two pads per day for a five day period which totals 10 for each cycle. 30, will, presumably, cover just three cycles.”
Also, Citizen Jalingo explained that, “empty sack bags” were “given to one inmate who learnt the skill of making hand fans from empty sacks.”
He added; “I say a special thank you to everyone who donated towards this yearly gesture. I appreciate all your donations.
“Others are also enjoined to support the inmates. Do not hesitate to contact us or the Correctional Services authorities on how best to support them.”
Receiving the items, the officer in charge of the facility, Vitalis Ugochukwu, a Deputy Controller of Corrections thanked the donors and said the facility is willing to cooperate with the public in ensuring it meets its mandate as stipulated by the Correctional Services Act and other guiding regulations.
The team, which included the Chairman of the African Action Congress in the State, Benedict Atsu two Deputy Chairmen, Ageh David and Otu Victor proceeded to speak with a few inmates taking notes on their cases for follow up.
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