The First Lady of Cross River State, Bishop Dr. Mrs. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, has renovated and commissioned skill acquisition centres at the Calabar Correctional Facility as part of efforts to promote rehabilitation, creativity, and self-reliance among inmates. 
The event, held today, was aimed at encouraging productivity and restoring confidence among the inmates through practical training opportunities.
Speaking at the event through the Honourable Commissioner for Social Welfare and Community Development, Archbishop Prof. Margaret Ene-Ita, Bishop Otu said the initiative reflects inclusiveness and offers hope to those who may feel forgotten by society.
She noted that, as a society, there is a continuing duty to encourage hope, transformation, and self-reliance.
According to her, practical skills remain an important path to economic independence, personal growth, and successful reintegration into society.
She added that the administration of Governor Bassey Edet Otu remains committed to human capital development and to improving the welfare of vulnerable groups across Cross River State, stressing that her office will continue to support initiatives that restore dignity and uplift lives.
The Comptroller of Corrections, Aniekan Archibong Nya, represented by the Deputy Comptroller of Corrections, Ilo Moses Afamefuna, described the gesture as timely, compassionate, and commendable. He said compassion is at the heart of true justice and appreciated the First Lady for extending care to people often regarded as voiceless and hopeless.
The renovated and commissioned centres include the male laundry unit, barbing salon, carpentry workshop, welding workshop, female tailoring section, hairdressing salon, and the educational block.
To equip the facilities, Bishop Otu donated several items across the different sections. The laundry unit received three big plastic bowls, four electric irons, seven packs of detergent, and one carton of bleach.
The tailoring section was provided with nine sewing machines, two weaving machines, two rolls of weaving threads, eight pairs of scissors, three box irons, six packs of sewing threads, hand needles, and machine needles.
The barbing salon received five rechargeable hair clippers, while the welding section was equipped with a welding machine, five welding masks, five hand gloves, one box socket, one packet of electrode, and three welding tongs.
The hairdressing section also benefited from two standing hair dryers, one standing fan, one hair washing basin, rollers, two mannequins, and other hair accessories.
The educational block was equally furnished with three white boards, fifteen tables, thirty chairs, three packs of markers, two cartons of Bibles, one carton of Primary English textbooks, one carton of Primary Mathematics textbooks, and several exercise books.
For sports and recreation, Bishop Otu also provided a volleyball net and ball for the female volleyball court.
In addition, she addressed the issue of open defecation at the facility by installing a proper soakaway pit behind the medical centre, a move expected to reduce the risk of cholera and improve sanitation and hygiene within the correctional centre.
To further improve the appearance of the facility, she also renovated the medical centre, the entrance, and Block E1.
The event featured songs rendered by inmates, as well as a mini volleyball game led by Archbishop Ene-Ita.
Dignitaries present included the wife of the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Mrs. Nelly Ayambem; the wife of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Assoc. Prof. Virginia Ironbar; the Chairman of Calabar South, Prof. Archibong Bassey; wives of chairmen and vice chairmen, and other political stakeholders.
