60th Birthday: Ex-PDP Leader, Metu Offers Scholarships to Nnewi Inmates, Clears Bills for Bailable Offenses

By Praise Chinecherem

Former National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Olisa Metu on Thursday secured bail of inmates of Nnewi Correctional Center in Anambra state with minor offences.

Metu also offered scholarship scheme for five inmates of the facility, just as he promised to build world class skill acquisition centers for them.

Addressing the inmates during his visit to the center as part of activities marking his 60 year birthday, Metu further announced sinking of water borehole for the Center to address lack of portable drinking water at the facility.

Metu informed them he was once like them and understood how it felt to be behind bars, urging them not to lose hope nor view their conditions as end of the road.

He said, “I’m here with my family, wife, siblings, close friends and associates to spend time with you. I want you to know that your condition is not permanent, but for a while.

“I want to tell you something that will shock you. I’ve been here like you people. A lot of prominent people have been here like you people. And they served their jail terms and gone.

“While you’re here, let your soul not be here. Let it be where you’ll be after leaving here. Concentrate and think of what you’ll do after you’ve left.

“Let me tell you, some of you by God’s grace will be in politics, some business people, and make so much money to be blessing to others. But you have to save yourself and soul first to save others.

“We’ve come here with food items and drinks in the interim. But we’re drilling borehole to provide steady water for you.

“We’re also going to build a world class skill acquisition center, once we get the CG’s approval. We want you to learn trade of your choice so you can establish your own business once you leave here.

“For those of you who are studying, I’ll provide scholarships for five of you to university level. Those who committed minor offences with option of fine, we’ll pay the fines today. We’re doing it at a larger scale in Nigeria.

“But paying the fine, building skill acquisition center, nor providing the food is not the biggest thing we’re giving you. The biggest thing we’re giving you is hope, hope for life, hope that you’ll make it. Keep that hope and you’ll succeed.”

The ex-PDP leader who also paid homage to Nnewi Monarch, Igwe Kenneth Orizu for his blessings, appealed to well meaning Nigerians who God has blessed to also uplift the less privileged.

“As you’re celebrating your birthday or other parties, think of what to do to better the lives of the masses,” he pleaded.

Metu also visited the Old Rev Father’s Home in Nnewi as well as St Andrews Anglican Church Nnewi where he shared food and gift items as well as wheel chairs to Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).