The Chief of Staff to the Osun State Governor, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, has empowered some former inmates pardoned by Governor Ademola Adeleke as part of efforts to support their reintegration into society and provide them with sustainable means of livelihood.
The beneficiaries were among inmates granted pardon by the state government and later participated voluntarily in political mobilisation and campaign activities during the 2026 governorship election.
They took the campaign for the governor’s re-election to streets, markets and communities across the state, mobilising support and canvassing votes for Adeleke’s second-term bid.
In recognition of their efforts, Akinleye presented the beneficiaries with Point-of-Sale machines and cash capital to enable them to establish small businesses and become economically self-reliant.
A monitoring team was also constituted to track the progress of the beneficiaries over the next three to 24 months and provide support where necessary.
The initiative, according to the organisers, is aimed at ensuring that the beneficiaries are given practical opportunities to rebuild their lives rather than receiving temporary assistance.
The intervention is also expected to discourage a return to circumstances that could undermine their reintegration, while enabling them to earn legitimate livelihoods and contribute positively to their communities.
The gesture further highlights the importance of combining rehabilitation with economic empowerment for people who have been given a second chance to rebuild their lives after incarceration.
Beyond recognising their contribution to the governor’s re-election campaign, the empowerment is also presented as part of efforts to promote human capital development, rehabilitation and inclusive governance.
The beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the intervention, describing it as an opportunity to begin a new chapter of their lives with dignity and hope.
The initiative, from pardon to economic empowerment, is aimed at giving the beneficiaries another opportunity to become productive members of society and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
