Anglican Diocese Visits Lagos Prisons, Donates To Inmates

IN keeping with its yearly practice, the Diocese of Lagos (Anglican Communion) on Wednesday visited prison formations in Lagos during which bags of rice, beans, gari and other food items as well as tissue papers were donated for upkeep of the inmates.Besides, the Archbishop of Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos and Bishop of Lagos Diocese, The Most Rev. Adebola Ademowo, who led senior clergymen and a cross section of the congregation of the diocese on the visit, announced plan to beautify Our Saviour's Church in Ikoyi Prison with floor tiles and asked the prison authorities to present the cost of the project for immediate commencement of work. He also pledged to give a cow and cooking ingredients to the inmates to celebrate Christmas.Addressing the congregation, including the inmates, at the brief service held at Our Saviour's Church in the prison, Ademowo explained the annual visit, saying: 'It captures the vision of the Anglican Communion, which is to visit prisoners and assist in setting captives free.' According to him, ' our year, in the Diocese of Lagos, is not successfully completed until we have set our eyes on you and fellowshipped with you (inmates). Our action is biblical; it is in line with Christ's statement that 'I was in prison and you came unto me''We also believe that while a man may serve time in prison, his soul could still be liberated, based upon the power of the word of God.'Ademowo who is the Dean, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, urged the inmates to be closer to God even in their incarceration. Essentially, the cleric urged the inmates to sharpen their spirituality by reading the Bible constantly and be assured that God would liberate them.'The situation in which you have found yourselves is not permanent; it will end one day. So, you should not consider your being behind bars as the end of the road. Just be close to God and be hopeful of bright future.'Ademowo who decried the congestion of the prison and high number of inmates awaiting trial, promised to appeal for reduction of the number through prerogative of mercy.Earlier, the Deputy Comptroller of Prison, Mr. Bamidele Emmanuel, thanked the church for its gesture.Spokesman of the inmates, Pastor Emmanuel Ajogbor, while giving the vote of thanks, catalogued the various areas of assistance by the church to the prison, including provision of drinkable water, payment of inmates' school and examination fees as well as medical treatment for the sick.At the Female Prison in Kirikiri area of Lagos, Ademowo asked the management to present the cost of re-roofing the inmates'church, saying the diocese would fund the project.At both prisons, the visitors were entertained with songs and dances by the inmates who expressed gratitude for the visit and donations.
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