Yobo Pledges To Secure Bail For Ikoyi Prison Inmates
Former Captain of the Super Eagles, Chief Joseph Yobo, at the Ikoyi Prisons.[/caption]
Former Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo has promised inmates at the Ikoyi Prisons that the Joseph Yobo Foundation would do everything in its power to bail them, especially those awaiting trial.
Yobo, who disclosed this at the launch of Ikoyi Prisons Football Academy over the weekend, in Lagos, added that his foundation will work with the authorities on their release.
Joseph Yobo Foundation was collaborating with Sisters Cities Vocational/Rehabilitation Centre and the Nigerian Prisons Service in the latter’s football academy project, “Football Stars Behind Bars’’.
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“I have never been to the prisons before but on getting to Ikoyi Prisons, I realised the need to give hope to someone, the 35-year-old said.
“The Joseph Yobo Foundation is ready to do everything within its means to grant bail to as many as possible that are awaiting trial, especially those in the facility’s football academy.
“I am happy with what is going on in this facility. I have never been here before but when I got here, what I saw jolted me.
“I thought I will see persons looking very sad, rushing to go out but rather, I saw them very happy, cheerful and looking very hopeful.
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“I must indeed commend the authorities of the Nigerian Prisons Service because from what I have seen on ground, the service is in the right track.’’
The Kano Pillars defender further stated that part of the objectives of the football academy is to train inmates and support them in the academy.
“We in our little way will want to give back to the society by giving hope to our brothers here behind the bars and give them a second chance because no one is above mistake.
“Having stayed here for a while, I am convinced that they must have undergone a great deal of reformation and rehabilitation,’’ he said.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), among the dignitaries that graced the event was a former Governor of Cross River, Donald Duke and his wife, Onari.
