The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev Dr. Mathew Kukah, advised inmates of Sokoto State Prison not to be bittered in serving their punishment but pray God for grace.
Addressing the Prison inmates on Christmas day 2016, Bishop Kukah said: "You are here because you broke the law, if you are here, you must be law abiding. When you behave well, you will be rewarded".
Bishop Kukah who has made it a routine to spend Christmas day with the inmates for the past four years encouraged them to keep faith that it doesn’t end there. He told them about prominent men who have served prison time before being celebrated.
Also Read: Bishop Kukah's Christmas Message 2016
"Make good friends, pray and hope that God will bless and be with you."
Bishop Kukah said "Being in prison sometimes isn’t in contradiction to God’s will". "Whoever goes to school hopes to finish and so is your being here", he added.
Food and drinks were shared to about 800 inmates by the Prison officers and Bishop Kukah's entourage.
Accompanying Bishop Kukah on the visit were: Rev. Fr. Sixtus Onuh, Diocesan Chancellor; Rev. Fr. Lawrence Emehel, the Coordinator of Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC); Rev Fr. Victor Mordi, Prison Chaplain; Rev Sisters and few Parishioners.
Read also: Bishop Kukah celebrates with HCA
The Inmate Pastor who spoke on behalf of the Prison Inmates appreciated Bishop Kukah and his team for the annual Christmas visit and pray God to continually bless and replenish the source extracted from to share with them.
The Inmate Pastor lamented that they are being neglected. He said some of them are being detained unjustly; Some are innocent of the crimes but couldn't afford a lawyer to defend them in court. He appealed to the Bishop to make known their needs to the Governments and those who can help.
"We need more drugs in our clinic (somebody almost died some days ago), tutor for computer training and other classes, and also a Bible and Koran for our study and prayers" The Inmate Pastor said.
