As Posted by a concerned Nigerian citizen

UPDATE Yesterday I shared my pain and anger regarding the condition of Nigeria's prisons and the detention of minors. The responses have been great. Thank you Nigerians. Together we are doing something about it. We won't just rant on social media, with our pain we're generating the power needed for real change. I got several calls and messages. People willing to offer in varying degrees and dimensions. As at today, discussions are ongoing with a law firm who'll partner on the initiative. They will provide legal and advisory services pro bono. Once we finalize the agreements, I'll share details. It is estimated that: - we'll require 100+ hours per week of lawyers' manpower over the next 12 months. It's not something one legal firm can do sustainably. We will pay filling fees and other similar charges that come with the judicial process. - some prison inmates are serving time because they could not afford sometime as low as N15,000 ($50) option of fine. We will be paying for several releases. Right now we have N875,000 in contributions and that came in less than 24 hours. Thank you gracious humans. It is estimated that we'll need at least 20 times this in the next 6 months alone. - upon release we will need to provide medical treatments to these vulnerable minors. This also we will pay for if we have to. It would however be great if we have partner hospitals that can donate some medical consultation manhours while we worry about paying for tests and drugs. - as we rehabilitate and integrate these precious ones back into the society, we will need professional counselors and therapist who can help stir them back in the right direction. - lastly, we will need volunteers and cash donations. It's probably too early to say, "lastly" because we may have to provide vocational skills training, school fees etc. I'm not exactly sure how far we will go with this. It's only been 24 hours. But I can assure you, my heart and soul is committed to this. Right now, please continue to reach out via Facebook pending when we setup proper communication channels and bank accounts. Our immediate next steps: - Sign up of partner organizations and volunteers and also develop key performance indicators that will guide performance appraisal. - Notification and liaison with concerned government agencies and ministries - Development of transparent accountability and reporting systems so that every stakeholder is informed of developments and decisions being made - Compilation of the first set of direct beneficiaries of our efforts. We will share this within acceptable privacy laws and ethics very soon. The real work has started. Thank you for very kind comment. Each time you click the like and share button, you gave a voice to the voiceless and that is very much appreciated. ____________________________________________ MORE UPDATE ON EFFORTS TO GET MINORS OUT OF OUR PRISONS We (Peter Adegoke Foundation) are in touch with the office of the Comptroller of Lagos and progress is being made. Though we do not have access to physically inspect or confirm the status of these kids yet, however based on our Sources the following has happened in the past few days. 70+ children have been moved to the Special Correctional Center for Boys in Oregun. The children are in so much bad state, they were quarantined on arrival. We will need doctors, hospitals, medical lab scientists and therapists to volunteer and help us provide the medical care they need. - Some of the kids have been convicted. - Some of them haven't and need legal representation. This we are working on. More help will be appreciated. - Some of the convicted ones have served their time but there is no known parent or guardian who they can be handed over to hence they remain in detention. There is an estimated 6000 children in Nigeria's prisons. It's going to be a loooong road. We are more than able however to take on this mountain. We are trying within applicable privacy laws and ethics to obtain information on children in prisons and the various needs of these children. We are knocking on relevant doors of ministries, agencies and government departments. The ultimate goal will be to ensure their relocation to appropriate rehabilitation facilities meant for children, see to their welfare and legal representation and also their rehabilitation and reintegration into the society. Every little help counts. Your generous giving and publicity given to the course by liking and sharing this information goes a long way. May God bless you for lending your voice.