Another Dream Inmates Talent Hunt
The year 2022 will definitely be our best year.
Last year, through our organization, Dream Light International Foundation, we engaged in several initiatives and mentoring for young people, and towards the end of the year, we were offered an opportunity to organize and sponsor a Talent Hunt competition for inmates at the Kiri Kiri Maximum Security Custodial center, Lagos, Nigeria, which we accepted and executed.
December 2020, I had been invited to sponsor and be one of the judges at a similar talent hunt event at the Correctional center. This time, I wasn’t just invited, but we were to host and sponsor the event. It came with a price, but we were delighted to accept such a great call to give another dream to these inmates.
On the 22nd of December 2021, we hosted the event successfully and had over 100 inmates contest to be the top 3 in each of the contest categories and over 18 persons emerged as winners and got cash prizes from us. We also provided refreshments for hundreds of inmates. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take photos or videos of the main event.
Assistance in the Student Program
The event wouldn’t have been as successful as it was without the attendance and support of some great friends and partners, who ensured we had a lasting impact with this event.
We had Mrs Oluyemi Adetiba-Orija of Headfort Foundation and Headfort Chambers as one of the judges for the talent hunt. Mrs. Oluyemi was selected with Chimamanda Adichie as the only Nigerian on the BBC 100 most inspiring women of 2021. We also had the Chairman of Dax and Pastor Watchman Lekki, Pastor Engr. Nnamdi Unachukwu, who ministered hope and prayed for the inmates, was also on the ground, ministering through songs to the inmates. Gospel singer Jackmira was present to minister in song to the inmates. Super Chef, a notable chef, was in attendance and served as our second judge. My friends and team members, Gospel and Ebenezer, and Isaac were also on the ground to make it a great event.
Very special appreciation to our Prison Partners. The Deputy Comptroller of Corrections and Officer in charge of The Kiri Kiri Maximum Custodial center, DCC Prince Mike Okorie, CSC Alu Ogbonnaya Alu, Founder The 3R Club Correctional center and Chief Psychologist, and other officials.
I also want to appreciate Dr. Amaka Ohanebo, Harrison Gwamnishu, and Ruggedman, who were willing to attend but couldn’t make it to the event. A day to the event Harrison fell ill and was at the hospital for treatment while Ruggedman was also down in health, as if it was an attack on key players for the event, CSC Alu also broke down a day to the event and I though not sick, had my body system disorganized that I struggled to sleep through the night and had to call 2 of my mentees to say a word of prayer for me before pulling through for the event.
The event was super successful, and the impacts were massive and I shed tears several times while the Inmates showcased their skills, and at some point couldn’t stop the tears and allowed them to just keep flowing for several minutes.
The highpoint of the event for me was when one of the inmates whom I have known since I started being involved in Prison outreach in 2017 came and with much excitement shared a good news with me, and the good news was that his sentence has been reduced from being on death sentence to life imprisonment and that he’s working towards publishing his 2nd book while in incarceration.
Many people might not see the reason for his excitement for having his sentence reduced from a death sentence to life imprisonment, but he knows what it feels like to have the jaws of death removed from one’s neck and that a sight of a prison warder walking into his ward any day no longer means a potential call to the gallows or firing squad.
Freedom is underrated, and that’s why crime still prevails in our society today.
On Sunday, 26th December 2021, I also visited the Ikoyi Correctional center with my Pastor Friend and Big Brother Tony, who has, over the years, been running his outreach ministry almost every Sunday at both Ikoyi and Kiri Kiri correctional centers. We ministered and prayed for them, and he gave them his usual support for refreshments.
We will be back at Kiri Kiri Correctional Center for more impactful activities as we keep working to give another dream to these inmates and give light to every dream around us.
