In a remarkable display of kindness and generosity, Nollywood star Queeneth Agbor traded birthday festivities for a different kind of celebration m, one that brought hope and joy to 1,000 inmates at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre. As she marked another year of life, Agbor chose to give back to those who need it most, spreading love, hope, and compassion to those often overlooked by society. Writes MARY NNAH
Nollywood actress Queeneth Agbor marked her birthday in a heartwarming way by feeding 1,000 inmates at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre. The event, themed “Strength Beyond Walls,” was more than just a birthday party, featuring music, prayers, and moments of reflection, highlighting the message of resilience and redemption. This selfless act not only brought joy to the inmates but also highlighted the importance of compassion and humanity.
“This year, I wanted my birthday to be more meaningful,” Agbor said. “Feeding a thousand inmates is my way of spreading love, hope, and reminding them that they are not forgotten.”
Agbor emphasised the importance of kindness, compassion, and second chances. “Every human deserves dignity. Every human deserves a second chance,” she said. “I believe in the power of a second chance. I believe in the power of kindness. I believe in the power of humanity.”
The actress shared her personal story of struggle and resilience, revealing that she is an orphan and has always taken the orphanage home personally. “What people don’t know about me, I’m an orphan,” she said. “Yeah, so I take orphanage homes, very personal. Like, I do go to the orphanage on every one of my birthdays, I just go there quietly without even posting.”
Agbor’s visit highlighted the centre’s efforts to rehabilitate inmates through education and talent development. The inmates, who have discovered their talents in entertainment, comedy, and music, prayed for Agbor’s long life and well-being. One inmate said, “Even though our family members have forgotten us, your visit shows that we are not forgotten.”
During the event, Agbor appealed for support for the inmates, particularly in providing laptops and computers for those taking the West African Examination Council’s forthcoming examination. “Laptop is next,” she said. “I think, yes, I should get them laptops. That is what I should do next.”
The actress’s selfless act was praised by actor and filmmaker Emeka Osai, who described it as an “eye-opener.”
“I feel wonderful. First of all, I’m happy that she’s clocked another year, but her choice of celebration is what has actually impacted me much more,” Osai said. “You know, that she undertook to feed a thousand inmates. Ordinarily, you would think, why prisoners? Because everyone wants to think that a prisoner should continue to suffer. But you see, there’s something she had behind her mind, which the head of this correctional center emphasized. And I saw in the inmates that the jail system is no longer punitive, but correctional.”
Osai added, “I would advise that people who come here to show love, just like some people go to a motherless baby’s home to show love. These people, whether they have their parents or not, deserve to be shown love and to be given a second chance at life and appropriate living.”
When asked what he would tell his constituents in the entertainment world, Osai replied, “Well, I would advise that they emulate her. If not for my birthday just passed, I probably would have replicated what she has done. It’s an eye opener.”
DCC Ebereonwu Julius Ogueri, Officer in Charge of the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, welcomed Agbor and her team, emphasising the centre’s shift from punitive to correctional services. “We have changed from punitive service to correctional service,” DCC Ogueri said. “We employ all the indices of correctional services, and we use education to transform their lives. Education is the foremost arm of rehabilitation.”
DCC Ogueri also appealed to corporate organisations and individuals to support the centre’s efforts. “We need laptops and computers to enable our students to excel in their exams,” he said.
The inmates’ gratitude and appreciation were palpable as they celebrated Agbor’s birthday with music, dance, and prayer. As Agbor left the centre, she left behind a legacy of kindness, compassion, and hope.
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