...x-raying Nigeria's prison reforms!

By Opeyemi Eniola


"Kirikiri n jo soapy (Kirikiri n jo soapy)
Jo soapy, soapy
Ikoyi prison n jo soapy (Ikoyi prison n jo soapy)
Jo soapy
Ninu cell EFCC wọn n jo soapy (wọn n jo soapy)
Jo soapy" - Extract from Naira Marley's Song titled Soapy

Azeez Fashola stage named Naira Marley is a UK based Nigerian singer whose controversial song "am i a Yahoo boy" have recently got him in the EFCC net. With his recent song Soapy, many people have raised concern about the style of song and the dance step which has been tagged disgusting by many Nigerians and prolific entertainers. Recently, Keffy, a Guinness book record holder and dancer had a face up with Naira Marley, over what she described as disgusting song and dance steps. Truly, every body has a meaning to every actions but it is left for us to correct the inactions.

Savi Sharma in her book; Everyone Has A Story To Tell said: "Everyone has a story to tell. Everyone is a writer, some are written in the books, and some are confined to hearts". Ostensibly, Naira Marley has successfully passed a message, a message about the deteriorating state of our prisons, the acts and activities ongoing there.

The dilapidating state of the Nigeria prisons demonstrates a condition that cannot guarantee the reformatory process of the inmates. This can be attributed to the disregard for the welfare of the inmates and failure to implement the prison reforms recommendations.

The Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in Lagos, is reportedly overcrowded by 250 percent. The prison, which was built for 956 inmates, is today occupied by over 2,600 inmates of which majority of the inmates awaiting trial.

According to the National Assembly Legislative Digest overcrowded prisons inexorably lead to inmates being exposed to improper health conditions that result in the spread of epidemics likely to cause death such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and diabetes.

In Naira Marley's song, another fact have emerged that there is likely high rate of sexual abnormalities in Nigerian prisons across the nation, such as masturbation and many others. This is primarily caused by high congestion rate which is likely to increase its effects of the inmates.

It is high time we start the necessary reforms in our institutions, and not just pay a lip service to the much needed reformations.

Op really?
Udonminit...

I don’t remember masturbation being an abnormality. Last I remember animals masturbate during puberty.