Skip to main content

Christmas Day Outreach: Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong Visits Calabar Correctional Centre, Offsets Inmates’ Fines




On Christmas Day, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, his wife Nela, and associates, paid a compassionate visit to the Calabar Correctional Centre, extending hope and relief to inmates in the true spirit of the season.

During the visit, the Senator committed a total of ₦10 million in humanitarian support. This included over ₦5 million to offset fines for inmates, many of whom have remained incarcerated for years over the inability to pay fines as low as ₦90,000, ₦3 million to enable inmates celebrate Christmas with dignity, and ₦2 million as support for correctional staff.

The intervention was facilitated through the concerted efforts of Mrs Ekpenyong and a group of young Law School students, whose collaborative efforts led to the identification of deserving cases, engaged the correctional authorities, and worked closely with the Senator to ensure the timely settlement of fines and effective distribution of support. 

In his address, Senator Ekpenyong expressed deep concern over the injustice of prolonged incarceration arising from minor fines, stressing that poverty should never translate into a life sentence. 

He encouraged inmates facing more serious charges to maintain good behaviour, embrace rehabilitation, and use their time in custody for personal reform, learning, and preparation for reintegration into society. He also praised correctional officers for their dedication and sacrifices, describing their service as noble and deserving of sustained support.

Several inmates, speaking on behalf of others, expressed profound gratitude, describing the intervention as a “Christmas miracle.” They thanked the Senator for restoring their hope, easing their suffering, and giving many a second chance at freedom and dignity. Some noted that the gesture had renewed their resolve to become better citizens and positively contribute to society upon release.

The visit reaffirmed the commitment of the Senator and his wife to compassion, justice, and human dignity, particularly during the festive season, while highlighting the power of collaboration between leadership and socially conscious youths.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

BREAKING NEWS: Youths of Ikot Ansa Nab Vandals Destroying Public Utilities, Hand Over to Authorities for Prosecution

  In a combined effort to curb the rampant vandalism of public utilities in Cross River State, the youth leader of Ikot Ansa, Prince, Victor Otu Iso JR, alongside his community, successfully apprehended criminals involved in the destruction of vital public infrastructure. The vandals were caught red-handed this morning, 13th day of September 2024, as they attempted to steal Amor cables belonging to state transformers at Ekpo Iso. Acting swiftly, the youth leader invited the Special Adviser on Public Utilities, Engr. Dr. Jerome Egbe KSM, and his counterpart on General Duties, Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba, to the scene. The Special Advisers arrived promptly, accompanied by operatives of the Nigerian Police Force from the Federal Division, and took custody of the criminals. The suspects have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further interrogation and prosecution. While addressing the youths of Ikot Ansa, Engr. Dr. Egbe and Barr. Akiba commended t...

Engr. Jerome Egbe Visits NSCDC Command for Strategic Partnership on Public Utilities

  The Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State on Public Utilities, Engr. Dr. Jerome Egbe, KSM, today, October 8, 2025, paid a courtesy visit to the Commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Cross River Command, Mr. Brown Charles, in Calabar.  The visit centered on establishing a strategic partnership to protect and secure public utilities across the state from vandals and criminal elements. During the meeting, Engr. Egbe emphasized the importance of safeguarding all critical public infrastructure and ensuring close collaboration between the Ministry of Public Utilities and the NSCDC in achieving the Governor’s vision for a sustainable and secure state. He also inspected the state of the Command’s facilities and sympathized with the personnel over the recent rainstorm that destroyed parts of the roofing, leaving the building flooded and disrupting operations. Engr. Egbe conveyed the administration’s sympathy and reiterated Governor Bassey O...

UNICROSS ACTING VC EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER DAMAGE OF UNIVERSITY STUCTURES AFTER RAINSTORM IN CALABAR

  The Acting Vice Chancellor of University of Cross River State, Professor Francisca Bassey, has expressed concern over the gravity of damage of the University's structures recorded in the wake of the rainstorm which swept through Calabar city yesterday, the 7th of May, 2025.  The Acting Vice Chancellor who was represented by the Director of Administration,  Professor Tom Ojikpong, expressed this concern when she led members of the University's management team on an on-the-spot inspection of the affected buildings in Calabar campus of the University. Yesterday's fierce rainstorm partially affected some offices including the conference room in the Administrative Building housing the Vice Chancellor's office. Other affected buildings are: the University's Library, Student Affairs building, Biological Science building, Environmental Studies building, New Science Block A, JAMB/CBT center, former Post Graduate School building, Mass Communication old block and the New Aud...