By Bouddih Adams
The Nigerian Consul General to the Southwest and Northwest Regions, with the support of a Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, paid fines for some 18 inmates of Buea Central Prison who had served their time but could not be released because they could afford the fines.
The inmates, 13 Nigerians and five Cameroonians were also given transport to return home to their families.
Addressing the inmates during the brief ceremony which took place at the esplanade of the Buea Central Prison, the Consul General, Lawal Bappah advised them to be good citizens so that they reintegrate themselves into society.
“A prison is a correctional facility, hence you are expected to behave well and make sure you don’t return here,” HE Bappah counselled.
He said it is incumbent on a mission like theirs to come to the assistance of their nationals in need and also their host communities.
The Nigerian business mogul and philanthropist, Chief Eze Gburu Gburu, cautioned the released inmates not to take hard feelings on those who caused them to be sent to prison, “… otherwise you will go back to prison.”
Asked what motivates him to always come to the succour of the needy, Eze Gburu Gburu said: “In this world, we know we will someday be no more. So, it is good that when the time comes, people would remember the nice things you did and say: he was a nice person.”