Founder of the Ayo Charity Foundation, Charity Ayooluwa Olaifa, said the initiative was driven by the belief that incarceration should not strip anyone of their dignity or hope for a better future.
Addressing the inmates, Olaifa said the foundation was committed to supporting vulnerable people and using healthcare, education, empowerment, and other interventions to make a difference in their lives.
“Our mission is to support the less privileged, empower vulnerable individuals, and inspire lives through acts of kindness, education, healthcare, and community development,” she said.
Olaifa emphasised that the outreach was about more than just medical services and aid.
She explained that it also sent a message that those behind the correctional walls remain valued members of society.
“Every life has intrinsic value. We believe no one should be defined by their past, as each day offers a new chance to grow, change, and start anew,” she said.
She also urged the inmates to stay hopeful and to see their period of incarceration as an opportunity to reflect, rebuild, and prepare for a better life after release.
“Today’s outreach goes beyond the gifts we bring; it carries a message that you are seen, valued, and that hope for a better future remains alive,” Olaifa added.
The intervention also allowed organisers to interact directly with inmates and understand some challenges they face beyond immediate incarceration.
Julius Ogueri, Deputy Controller of Corrections and officer in charge of Ikoyi Correctional Facility, said the intervention came at a critical time given the size and demands of the facility.
He disclosed that the facility, established in 1955 with an original capacity of about 800 inmates, had at times faced significant congestion.
According to him, effective sanitation measures and professional interventions have helped reduce the inmate population from about 3,690 to approximately 2,833.
However, he said the government could not shoulder the entire responsibility of caring for the inmates without support from well-meaning individuals and organisations.
“Government manages their health and feeding, but cannot do so alone,” Ogueri said.
He explained that the Controller-General of Corrections had encouraged officers in charge of correctional facilities to “think outside the box” by engaging credible organisations that could support government efforts.
Ogueri described the medical outreach as a valuable contribution to improving inmates’ welfare, especially those who might otherwise struggle to access comprehensive healthcare.
He appealed to other non-governmental organisations and philanthropists to emulate the foundation and support correctional institutions.
Beyond immediate medical aid, he identified the need for a properly equipped hospital and more qualified medical personnel to meet inmates’ health needs.
He stated that such facilities and expertise would significantly improve the quality of healthcare available to those serving sentences or awaiting case determinations.
He expressed gratitude to the Ayo Charity Foundation and the Pastor Rachel Olupeju Memorial Foundation for their initiative and prayed for ongoing blessings upon the organisations.
For Olaifa, the outreach reflected a broader philosophy of extending compassion to those often overlooked by society.
The Ayo Charity Foundation has also carried out other community-focused initiatives to support vulnerable people, with activities focusing on healthcare, welfare, and persistent support for those in hardship.
At Ikoyi, the emphasis was simple: to bring care to those in need and, perhaps more importantly, to remind them that the walls separating them from society have not erased their humanity.
For the inmates who received medical attention, the day offered more than tests and consultations. It reminded them that, despite their circumstances, their health, dignity, and prospects for a better future still matter.
