The Nigerian Politics: Our Youths and the Prisons

The Nigerian Politics: Our Youths and the Prisons

Thursday, 20th of July was not like any other day for me, even though the cloud was still in place yet some events made the day like many days in one. I was privileged to visit the Lagos Female Prison and the Medium Male Prison, each for 20 minutes. The purpose of my visit was to complete an official task. 

However, in the process of carrying out my duty, I saw some young and old ladies of different complexion and heights, different tribes and status, all dressed in their casuals, as though they were in their respective homes, yet they were confined in the Female Prison.

My heart was burdened with their welfare as well as whether these young women still had aspirations or not. Soon my time was up and it was time to leave. 

Those few minutes meant so much to me as I traveled far in my mind; I looked beyond the reasons for which they were detained to, what would life have been for them, if they were not confined to this premise. So many questions kept me busy till I got to the entrance of the medium Prison for the same task.

The array of the military men on patrol and military vehicles within and without the Medium Prison almost scared me, as I was ushered into the prison reception. I also noticed two BRT buses parked a meter from the Prison Gate.

After passing through a few security checks, I went in and my mission was accomplished in no time but my exit was delayed due to the trooping out of some inmates. 

My curiosity got me a response from one of the inmates who informed me that, about 50 selected inmates were lined up to be released by the authorization of the disciplinary committee and the appropriate authorities. These inmates were the young men who were incarcerated for minor offence; such as wandering.

Again I wondered on, how priviledged these young men had suddenly become. They had being cut off from the familiar world to an unfamiliar world until that moment, when their names was added to the pardon list. I  later spoke with one of the Prison Warders on the need to leave and he paved way for me to exit the Medium Prison. 

It was at this juncture, that It dawn on me that most of the inmates in both the Female and Medium Prisons are averagely youth. They get imprisoned for both minor and major offence and their jail term might eventually waste their productive years, if care is not taken, with emphasis on those serving on trial. 

The thoughts of how the other inmates who could not get freedom like the selected few clouded my mind, until I got unto the Kirikiri road and a certain noise startled me. Now it was a group of youths, who were dancing, engaging in stunts and sitting on the bonnet of on coming publicity vehicles. The branded T-Shirt of the Labour Party reminded me that this must be a rally for the forth coming Local Government elections.

These serial events made me ponder on life and what our youths spend their times on. If the young people parading themselves on Kirikiri road could consider the possible consequence of being a tout for these politicians, they would have done otherwise. Yet they were oblivious of those confined within the four walls of Kirikiri Prisons. 

Our youths need to remember that Politicians will always need people to publicize their party activities and intentions yet these Politicians will never engage their children in such activities. It is no longer news that so many youths endanger their lives for these politicians all because of some little cash gifts and promises , yet it is to their own detriment.

This is a charge for us to pray for our youth not to be victims of circumstance. This is because not every confined prisoner is guilty of the offences they are incarcerated for. This article is also a plea to our youth to shun corrupt practises and avoid friendship that have criminal tendencies.

Thank you for visiting Olabusola's Review. I remain your blogger Olabusola Olorunnowo.

REF: Observation method 
Graphics from the Nigerian Prison's Page.