Dr Levi Monanu (middle) and other officials of the Salvation Army Church pose for the camera after the church service. Photo Credit: Tony Adibe
By Tony Adibe
The inmates of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Enugu Custodial Centre, have been advised to connect themselves with God so as to deal with loneliness and other challenges they experience in the custodial centre.
Also, the inmates were urged to utilise their period of confinement in the facility by acquiring useful skills to make them productive to the larger society at the end of their stay in the custodial centre.
The Territorial Envoy, International Prison Chaplain in Enugu, Dr Levi Monanu gave the advice on Sunday during an interdenominational church service held for the inmates at the Chaplaincy of Enugu Custodial Centre.
NewsBits reports that inmates and officials of the custodial centre, including the Comptroller of the Enugu Custodial Centre, Igwe Sunday, attended the interdenominational church service which comprised members of different faith such as Salvation Army, Catholic, Anglican Communion, Dominion City, and others.
Delivering his sermon during the church service, Dr Monanu said that it was not palatable for the inmates to be incarcerated in the facility, but “because of circumstances that brought you here, there’s nothing you can do about it.”
He urged the inmates to embrace prayer and connect with God and His son, Jesus Christ, who will solve permanently their loneliness and other challenges they face in the custodial facility.
Citing the Holy Bible, 1st Peter, chapter 5 vs 7, Monanu said: “‘Jesus said cast all your troubles upon me.’ That means call upon me in the time of trouble; call upon me, I will answer you. I know the majority of you are lonely even in the midst of a crowd. But Jesus Christ is the only person that will keep you company.”
He further appealed to the inmates to always associate with good people, and learn a useful skill that would make them productive members of their communities by the time they are out of the custodial centre.
Monanu also spoke on the need for the inmates to cultivate the habit of showing gratitude, sincerity, love, forgiveness and other virtues that edify the individual, rather than engaging in sinful acts.
“You must learn to build hope in you; you must make a difference in your life with faith. Try to learn forgiveness while you embrace Jesus, and it will be well with you all.”
He concluded his sermon with a popular hymn, entitled, “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less, Than Jesus Christ The Solid Rock.”
In his remarks, the Comptroller of Enugu Custodial Centre, Igwe Sunday tasked the inmates on the need to acquire one or more skills while they are in the custodial centre. He emphasised that such skills would help them contribute positively to the development of their communities and the larger society in future.
“I always encourage you to learn one skill or the other. You have to be an asset to the society or liability; the choice is yours,” said the Comptroller, who quickly added: “We will always provide an avenue to enable you learn skills here. In this environment, there’s a bigger umbrella to accommodate everybody. There’s no time that is too late; you can start now.”
Igwe, who said that Saturday, 17 May, 2025 marked five months since he started work as Comptroller, Enugu Custodial Centre, also used the opportunity to recount his long but interesting journey with the Nigeria Correctional Service. He attributed all his achievements to the grace, favour and mercy of God in his life, and assured the inmates that God can lift them even while they are in the facility.
“I’m from a humble background but today, God Almighty has lifted me. The same God can lift you the inmates, but you must work hard and show God your level of commitment,” he said.
He said that the popular hymn, “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less Than Jesus Christ The Solid Rock” is his favourite song because “all my life is built on Nothing Less Than Jesus Christ The Solid Rock!”
Expressing gratitude to the leadership of the Salvation Army Church, led by Monanu, who mobilised members of other denominations to join in the visitation and worship with the inmates, Igwe said: “Today is indeed a unique day. It’s the day that the Lord has made and we are glad in it. I thank the Salvation Army Church for bringing all of us here today.”
The Comptroller disclosed that since assumption of duty at the Enugu Custodial Centre, he had never had the opportunity of worshipping with the inmates.
“Since I resumed duty here as officer in charge, I have never had time to worship here. When I was dressing up in my office, the Salvation Army team came in, and I decided I must worship with them today. Yesterday 17, May marked five months since I started here. And it has been five months of ups and downs. But with God on our side, we will achieve our goals.”
The Salvation Army team, however, poured prayers on the Comptroller as he knelt down before the altar. “It shall be well with you,” the team concluded with the song, “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour, When Peace, Like a River Attendeth My Way.”
Earlier, the Salvation Army team had donated some items for the welfare of the over 2,000 inmates in the custodial centre.
