Stigmatization of Ex Convicts: A Humanitarian comes to the Rescue .....The story of corp member with a mission beyond serving

When Anuoluwapo Balogun found herself as a corp member serving in Ekiti after getting redeployed from a Northern state, little did she know what fate had in store for her in the Land of Honour.

Anu came as a stranded Corper in Ado Ekiti when she could not get a "PPA" thanks to a redeployment go wrong and was hitherto thrown as a last resort to the Nigeria Union of Journalist Secretariat  in Ado Ekiti. One must give credit to Kayode  Babatuyi the Secretary of the NUJ for not rejecting this golden fish even though the Union was at that time incapacitated to take another corp member having have several others. 

Just like Chinua Achebe said of Okonkwo in his book ' Things fall Apart'  'When a man says yes his chi also says yes', this is  the case of Anu who immediately familiarize herself with her environment and became friends with almost everyone at the NUJ secretariat. She is by far the most popular Corp member in that building  and this earned her the title " Chief corp member"

When She first  intimated me about the project, I was scared for her not because she will fail but I doubt if  she can pull through given her fragile body and small stature and indeed looks can be deceiving. I gave her all the encouragement whilst I pray inwardly for her to succeed because apart from being an emotional person she is treading one of the most dangerous and delicate path of human life dealing with Inmates of the correctional centre"

Anu nevertheless, started her journey visiting people, offices and personalities that could be of help in actualising her project. Going to the offices is another thing getting the right people and securing the cooperation of the personalities is another. There are many times Anu will come back to the office frustrated and in tears and trust me it was that time the devil in me will spring up to give her the disturbances of her life but I know if she looked back now she will definitely smile because she needed the assurance that all will be well.

Despite the obvious frustrations, this young lady never gave up and I was more than eager to accompany her to the correctional centre for her first session with the Inmates who were about completing their terms. 

The story behind the walls of that community is "ethically" kept as a top secret else I get sued. But the intrigues will always be there, Anu has started a legacy in Ekiti and her project won't be for Ekiti alone in fact I call on the State and federal government to make Anuoluwapo Balogun's project a model and a prototype for the reintegration of ex inmates into the society in order to stop stigmatization and prevent  rescividism. 

If the Federal government can rehabilitate ex Boko Haram members with full benefits then nothing should stop Ex convicts getting a shot in becoming better asset to themselves and the society.

Anu came with the idea of training Ex convicts, setting them up with basic skills and properly reintroducing them into the society whilst protecting their rights and enhancing their self esteem.

The session was a huge success and many Inmates who are not leaving anytime soon happily joined the training. 

The highlights was that of a young man who wanted to be a writer got blessed with materials and a big Dictionary.

 The sensitization programme itself was a huge success in every way. The NUP hall was filled to the brims on 18th May  2022 with the attendance of Dignitaries that graced the event. The programme in conjunction with the National Orientation agency(NOA) has the Director of NOA, the Comptroller General of the Prison Services, The NUJ chairman, The Vice President NUJ southwest B Zone and the NYSC state coordinator all in attendance. 

Ex Inmates were empowered with tools worth hundred  thousands of naira while the facilitators sensitize the audience on the need to stay away from crime.

Anuoluwapo Balogun has laid a foundation that needed all the help it can get in executing more humanitarian projects not only in Nigeria but also beyond the shores of the country.

This young corper has brought unquantifiable ideas that will make our society a better place and it will be well deserving if Anu is given a state recognition and award especially by her Excellency Erelu Bisi Fayemi who is also a humanitarian crusader too.

People like her should be  encouraged in every possible ways even as I look forward to having her NGO take take off as soon as possible.

Idowu Adebomi

Ado Ekiti