The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olayide Adelami, has been appointed the new Board Chairman of the Prison Fellowship of Nigeria.
The announcement was made during PFN’s Annual General Meeting, held recently in Ogun State.
Alongside Adelami’s appointment, Dr Jacob Tsado was named the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer. Adelami, who is also a former Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, succeeds Mrs Dorcas Din, who had completed her tenure as Board Chairperson.
Prior to this appointment, Adelami served as the Board’s Second Vice-Chairman.
In his acceptance speech, Adelami expressed his gratitude and pledged to focus on strengthening the Fellowship’s policies and capacity to achieve its objectives.
“I am deeply honoured to serve in this capacity. Together, we will mobilise resources and craft policies to uplift this organisation and deepen its impact on restorative justice and inmate reintegration,” he stated.
At the AGM, Tsado officially assumed his role as Executive Director, succeeding Barrister Benson Iwuagwu, who retired after 19 years of dedicated service.
Dr. Tsado, a founding member of PFN, has previously served as a Research Fellow and Director of Publications at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Plateau State.
He thanked the Fellowship for entrusting him with the position, saying, “It is a humbling experience to step into the big shoes left by Barr. Iwuagwu. I call on all members and stakeholders to renew their commitment to the vision of restorative justice and rehabilitation.”
He also acknowledged the contributions of key supporters, including the Nigerian Correctional Service, Prison Fellowship International, the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria, Covenant University, and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
The AGM also witnessed the appointment of Prof. Chioma Agomo as the First Vice-Chairman of the Board and Engineer Yinka Oyewole as the Second Vice Chairman.
During the ceremonial handover, outgoing Board Chairperson, Mrs. Dorcas Din, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve and encouraged members to remain committed to PFN’s mission.
“Serving God and humanity through PFN has been a privilege. Let us all rededicate ourselves to the work of reforming and reintegrating inmates,” she said.
African Regional Director of Prison Fellowship International,
Ashella Ndhlovu, who represented the International President, Andy Corley, commended Barr. Iwuagwu’s contributions to the organisation.
“Barr. Iwuagwu’s unwavering dedication has significantly advanced PFN’s mission. His legacy will inspire the next chapter of this Fellowship,” she said.
Prison Fellowship Nigeria is part of Prison Fellowship International, a global network operating in over 120 countries. The organisation also holds observer status with the African Union Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.