Regina Akume Secures Release of 20 Prisoners, Marks Birthday with Humanitarian Outreach
In a remarkable display of compassion, Regina Akume, wife of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), marked her birthday with visits to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and prisons in Abuja and Nasarawa, securing the release of over 20 inmates by paying their fines.
During her visit to the Durumi IDP camp in Abuja, Akume expressed concern over the camp’s closed primary school, which has been without teachers since 2016, despite serving over 3,000 IDPs. She pledged to raise the issue with her husband, Senator George Akume, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, for swift intervention.
“I’m not a city lady. I’m a villager, and I know where I come from. I sympathize with people who share my background,” Akume said, emphasizing her grassroots connection.
At the Gurin Interfaith IDP Camp in Karu, Nasarawa, she reassured displaced persons from Borno, Yobe, and other northern states that they were not forgotten and urged them to maintain peaceful coexistence with their host communities.
A highlight of her outreach was at the Kuje Medium Correctional Centre, where Akume facilitated the release of over 20 inmates by settling fines totaling more than N1 million. She urged the freed prisoners to show remorse and reintegrate as responsible citizens.
FCT Correctional Centres Commandant, Usman Ibrahim, expressed gratitude for her intervention, emphasizing the need for legislative changes to enable the FCT Minister to grant amnesty.
In all locations, Akume distributed essential supplies, including rice, yams, sugar, salt, blankets, and mosquito nets. She also advocated for the elimination of violence against women, aligning her outreach with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Condemning recent violent attacks in Benue State, Akume called for lasting peace and palliatives for affected families, reaffirming her commitment to social justice and humanitarian service