The Catholic Diocese of Gboko, in Benue State, through CARITAS Foundation for Justice and Peace, has taken the message of hope to prisoners in Gboko Local Government Area of the state.
The Foundation which sponsored a football tournament for inmates of the Medium Security Custodial Center of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Gboko, Benue State, was amazed at the football talents discovered among them during the football match.
The tournament which kicked off at 10:00am on
Monday at Gboko correctional service center (Gboko prison yard) between the inmates’ team and the Vision FC Gboko, ended at 3-3.
Declaring the tournament open, the Bishop of Gboko Diocese, Arch. Bishop Amove Avenya charged the inmates to accept their present conditions with joy, faith and hope that they will come out one day to move on with their positive lives like the former president of Nigeria, General Olusegun Obasanjo.
“Please don’t be angry and frustrated with your present condition, but give your life to Christ and hope for positive tomorrow”, Avenya advised.
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Earlier, the coordinator of CARITAS Foundation, Rev. Fr Isaiah Kookoko said the aim of the tournament at the prison yard was to give inmates some joy, a sense of belonging and hope for tomorrow.
He explained that through the training, football talents are discovered among the inmates that can perform well at the national team.
On his part, the officer in charge of the Gboko prison, ACCP Ortserga Jeremiah, who was represented by CSCP Eugene Iornongo, commended the Gboko Catholic Diocese and the coordinator for the joy brought for the inmates and the prison officers through the tournament.
A football fan and Coordinator of Kpum gyming group, Mr. Orngu Kpum who expressed joy with the talents discovered at the prison, commended the Catholic Diocese for unveiling the hidden talents through the tournament.
Some of the inmates who spoke with our correspondent promised to pursue their dream of being footballers whenever they regain their freedom especially now that they have received Christ through the acts of the CARITAS Foundation.
