In continuation of it’s yearly inmates feeding programme, the Ilorin Emirate Youth Development Association (IEYDA) on Thursday organized a special breaking of fast (Iftar) with the inmates of Oke Kura prison, Ilorin.
The iftar was well attended by members of the association, management of prison service and some selected Muslim inmates.
Speaking during the event, the National President of IEYDA, Alhaji
Abdullahi Babatunde Salaudeen, said the programme was part of welfare programmes specifically designed for inmates.
Salaudeen noted further that inmates feeding programme was initiated some years ago in the spirit of charity asaone of the lessons that Ramadan teaches.
He said that the association always makes provision for feeding of inmates both for iftar and sahur throughout Ramadan fasting.
He explained that a day always set aside where members of the association and inmates will dine and wine together as a way of raising their hopes that life continues after their incarceration.
In his remark, the National Publicity Officer of the association, Alhaji Uthman Jagunma appreciated well meaning individuals who have contributed in one way or the other to the success of the programme.
While calling on other philanthropists to support the association, Jagunma assured that the association would continue to contribute to the welfare of the needy and the less privileged.
In his address, the Deputy Controller Prison, Yinka Oyun, said it was a collective responsibility to reform prisoners and encourage them to see themselves as responsible members of the society.
He described prison as a big town which its maintenance requires collective efforts.
Oyun noted that although government was trying its best, it behooves on everyone to contribute to the well-being of the prisoners.
He appreciated IEYDA for the gesture and urged other organizations to emulate the association.
In his sermon, the Vice President of IEYDA, Ustaz Muritala Ottan observed that Allah could test His creatures with different types of challenges.
He advised the inmates to see their incarceration as being ordained by God, adding that whoever relies on Allah especially during the trying period, would be rewarded.
He urged Muslims to fear Allah in all their undertakings and rely on Him in whatever condition they might find themselves.
The Welfare Officer in the prison, Suleiman Folohuso thanked the association for the gesture which he said had risen the hope of the inmates because some of them were just the victims of circumstances.
End
