Osun: Adeleke empowers pardoned inmates with POS machines, cash

Osun state governor, Ademola Adeleke, has empowered some former inmates who benefited from his pardon with Point-of-Sale machines and financial assistance to help them establish small businesses and rebuild their lives after incarceration.

The intervention, facilitated by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, is aimed at providing the beneficiaries with legitimate means of livelihood as they reintegrate into society.

The beneficiaries were among inmates pardoned by Adeleke last year as part of efforts by his administration to promote rehabilitation and give deserving prisoners an opportunity to start afresh after serving time.

Government provides tools for fresh start

Presenting the POS machines and cash support to the beneficiaries, Akinleye said the intervention was designed to go beyond temporary financial relief by creating opportunities for the former inmates to become self-reliant and economically productive.

He explained that successful rehabilitation should not end with the release of inmates, stressing that former prisoners require practical support and economic opportunities to rebuild their lives and regain acceptance in society.

“The essence of this intervention is to give these beneficiaries a genuine opportunity to start afresh, become self-reliant and contribute positively to society,” Akinleye said.

He added that economic empowerment was essential to ensuring that former inmates do not return to circumstances that could undermine their reintegration into the community.

“When people are given a second chance, we must also give them the opportunity and the tools to make that second chance count. Economic empowerment is critical to successful reintegration,” he added.

Beneficiaries monitored for up to two years

According to Akinleye, the government has constituted a monitoring team to track the progress of the beneficiaries and assess the performance of the businesses established with the assistance.

The monitoring exercise is expected to last between three and 24 months, allowing the government to determine how effectively the beneficiaries are using the POS machines and financial support.

The arrangement will also enable officials to identify challenges confronting the businesses and provide appropriate interventions where necessary to improve their sustainability.

Support linked to election campaign

The beneficiaries were also said to have participated in the mobilisation and campaign activities of the administration during the 2026 governorship election.

They reportedly canvassed support for Adeleke across communities, markets and streets in different parts of Osun State.

Their involvement in the election campaign was said to have been taken into consideration in the decision to extend the empowerment package to them following Adeleke’s successful re-election.

Government stresses rehabilitation

The intervention reflects the Adeleke administration’s emphasis on rehabilitation, human capital development and economic empowerment as part of its broader approach to governance.

Akinleye maintained that supporting vulnerable citizens who are attempting to rebuild their lives is an important part of ensuring that government policies translate into meaningful opportunities.

He stressed that the beneficiaries should see the support as more than the distribution of business equipment and cash, describing it as an opportunity to replace the stigma associated with their past with productive livelihoods.

Beneficiary expresses appreciation

One of the beneficiaries expressed appreciation to Akinleye and the Osun State Government, describing the intervention as an opportunity to turn a new page in life.

“We are grateful for this opportunity. The support will help us start something meaningful and give us hope for a better future,” the beneficiary said.

The government urged the beneficiaries to make effective use of the support and remain committed to their businesses, while the monitoring arrangement is expected to ensure that the empowerment achieves its intended purpose.

For the former inmates, the initiative provides an opportunity to rebuild their economic independence, regain confidence and demonstrate that a second chance, when matched with the right support, can lead to a productive future.