The joint-owners of Alpha Furniture Works said that their combined seven years experience at Kirikiri Prison were not wasted.
The duo, who spoke on vocational skill acquisition for youths, said prisons across the country should be rehabilitated to meet ensure this is possible.
Etuk, who was imprisoned for mini stealing and shoplifting in 1987 and spent four years at Kirikiri Prison, said the prison at that time was far better than now. He also regretted the recurrence of breakouts from our jail in the country, blaming those in charge for their nonchalance and inhumane disposition.
He said: “Then, while in prison, our mindset was daily focused on what we could engage ourselves in after leaving the yard that will enable us re-integrate well into the society.
“Because of the good handling of the place by the administrators, the thought of jailbreak was not in any inmate’s mind. I improved on the carpentry skills I acquired, through observation and reading through furniture works albums to meet up with the current trend.” Dada, the co-owner of the furniture company, on his part said: “I spent three years in prison. I was in the same cell with Etuk and we were pardoned at the same time. So we began to practice what we were taught in the prison at construction sites at Festac.
Dada also said it was after working at various sites for 24 months that they were able to pool their resources together and rented a shop at Agboju Market in Lagos, where they made furniture for supply to sellers at Alaba International Market.
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