Mrs Mistura Afolabi, the SOJ Ilorin Zone Coordinator, while addressing Muslim students of the institution, said the essence of the visit was to give the students sense of belonging and show love to them.
”We feel that our presence here today will give these children more hope that they can aspire to be great in life.
”Moreso, it is known that the month of Ramadan is to among other things, show love to our fellow brothers and sisters, so this is our own little way to show them that they are special,” she said.
Mrs Rukayat Salaudeen, who also interacted with the students, advised them not to give up on their future plans, but should hope for the better.
She admonished the students to always liken themselves to Prophet Yusuf who in spite of ordeals from his family, still turned out to be great.
Salaudeen advised the students to intensify prayers and thanksgiving to God, saying only God knows the reason for making them to be at the institution and not in normal schools like their peers.
The Borstal Welfare Officer, Mr Olanrewaju Ajide, appreciated the organization for the gesture and urged the group to always come around with gifts and words of encouragement for the students.
One of the students, who responded on behalf of others on condition of anonymity, thanked the group members for remembering them during the holy month of Ramadan.
He urged them to be constant in their visits to always come and preach to them in order to soften their hearts.
He noted that the students need words of encouragement, adding that they are not criminals but brought to the institution to correct one or two vices noticed in them by their parents.
The NGO presented to the students items including rice, garri, semovita, soap, fruits and dates.
NAN also reports that the Borstal Training Institution is a place where juvenile offenders are remanded and given both educational and vocational training to rehabilitate and reform them before being reintegrated into the society.
It is a unit under the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS).
