Edo Women Affairs Commissioner Seeks Rehabilitation, Psychosocial Support for Young Offenders

By Rosemary Okoduwa

The Edo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, has advocated a rehabilitation-focused approach to handling young offenders, emphasising psychosocial support, family reintegration, and vocational training to facilitate their reformation and successful return to society.

Abdallah made the call during a follow-up visit to the Nigerian Correctional Service, Edo State Command, in Benin City, following the Service’s earlier visit to the Ministry. The engagement was aimed at strengthening collaboration between both institutions on child protection and the welfare of other vulnerable groups.

The Commissioner expressed concern that institutionalising minors without adequate psychological support, proper segregation, and rehabilitation could expose them to negative influences and undermine their chances of reformation. She advocated a holistic approach that prioritises family-based care, parental responsibility, counselling, and psychosocial interventions for eligible young offenders.

She stressed the need to provide young offenders with opportunities to acquire practical skills and become productive members of society, adding that start-up assistance should be considered where appropriate to support their economic independence after rehabilitation. Abdallah reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to sustainable interventions for children, women, persons with disabilities, and older persons across Edo State.

The Commissioner noted that effective rehabilitation and social protection require coordinated efforts among government institutions and relevant stakeholders. She maintained that stronger inter-agency partnerships were essential to developing sustainable solutions to the challenges affecting children and other vulnerable members of society.

Responding, the Controller of Corrections, Edo State Command, Orhunmwonkpawan Julius Osemwegie, acknowledged the importance of inter-agency collaboration, noting that no single institution could independently address the complex challenges of child development, security, and offender rehabilitation. Drawing from his experience, including his PhD internship at the Ugbekun Child Correctional Centre, he emphasised the need to follow established legal and institutional procedures when handling children in conflict with the law.

Osemwegie recalled previous initiatives at the facility, including educational programmes, lectures on drug abuse delivered by university academics, and extracurricular activities designed to promote the development and reformation of young inmates. He also highlighted vocational training programmes in tailoring, sewing, and soap production, which equip inmates with practical skills for life after custody, while acknowledging the contributions of government investment, volunteers, and educational stakeholders to rehabilitation efforts.

The meeting underscored the need to strengthen collaboration between the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and the Nigerian Correctional Service, particularly in child protection, psychosocial care, family reintegration, and vocational empowerment. Both institutions recognised the importance of sustained interventions to give young offenders a better opportunity to reform, acquire useful skills, and reintegrate successfully into society.