According to The Sun, Senator Adams Oshiomhole has raised concerns about the Nigerian state's priorities, stating that the welfare of dogs is given more importance than that of the over 80,000 prisoners in the country's correctional centres. He made these remarks during a public lecture organized in support of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The event, themed ‘Nigeria Yesterday, Today and a Prosperous Future,’ served as a platform for Oshiomhole to address various issues facing the nation.
Oshiomhole, who previously served as the Governor of Edo State, highlighted the original intent of prisons as institutions for correcting wrongdoers rather than punitive establishments designed to break individuals. He expressed regret that influential figures often evade accountability, manipulating the system to threaten and mistreat prisoners. This, he suggested, is made possible with the assistance of corrupt security personnel who turn a blind eye to such injustices.
During his speech, Oshiomhole critiqued the dependence on international entities such as the World Bank to define Nigeria's identity and policies. He argued that Nigeria should establish its own policies based on its unique context and needs, rather than adhering to externally imposed frameworks. According to Oshiomhole, embracing a home-grown policy approach is essential for addressing the country’s challenges, even if it means facing resistance from global powers.
He said: “In Nigeria, our people will go to the World Bank and they will tell us who we are. We are supposed to define who we are and not foreigners. And until we go back to this home-grown policy and damn the consequences of the world, because they are going to fight us, we will have problems.