By Lucky Isibor
The first lady mechanic in Nigeria, Lady Mechanic Sandra Aguebor Robert KOKOMA (MFR) . has perfected arrangements to establish a mechanic workshop at the Benin Correctional Centre to enable her train female inmates of the centre in motor mechanic as part of her contribution to enable them have a legitimate means of livelihood on their discharge from the Correctional Centre.
Lady Mechanic Sandra Aguebor disclosed this on Thursday, 18 July at the Benin Correctional Centre on Sapele Road in the Edo State capital while at the centre to celebrate her birthday with the female inmates in the centre. She appealed to the Controller of the centre to expedite action in facilitating the necessary approval to enable her start the programme.
While assuring the female inmates that all hope is not lost, Comrade Aguebor assured the female inmates that as a woman she feels their pains and worries with empathy pointing out that as mothers she’s aware that they’re still worried about the welfare of their children and then offered to train their children who may be interested in motor mechanic and dropped her phone number with the Correctional officials to contact her in case any of the children of the inmates are interested in the training which she said will be wholly free.
“I am at the Correctional Centre to celebrate with the female inmates. I saw them and my heart bleeds, they need a lot of assurance of hope, someone to give them hope, someone to give them succor, someone to be there for them; to assure them that all hope is not lost.
“As part of my birthday celebration,I’ve promised to bring an in house lady mechanic workshop to the correctional centre to train women as mechanics, from quick service, brake pad change, computer diagnostic and coding .
“The skills that will be impacted on them will enable them to be reintegrated into the society when they’re eventually discharged.
“As citizens we cannot continue to complain as alot of us can on our own do something to assist these people and complain less about government. I will be training the women inmates in motor mechanic as part of my Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and give back to society”.
Comrade Sandra Aguebor was also at the Kinglucy Ophanage Home in Benin City to celebrate with the children in the home. While thanking the management of the home for the conducive environment they have provided for the children at the ophanage and the recreational facilities they have availed the children, Comrade Aguebor assured that she will henceforth be a regular visitor to the ophanage and make her modest contributions to the upkeep of the children.
“I’m so happy that I’ve been able to visit the Kinglucy Ophanage Home after visiting the correctional centre.
“I urge other members of society to remember the inmates of ophanage homes and correctional centres during their celebrations. I am here at the ophanage to make them feel special as I celebrate”.
In his remarks, the Financial Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State, Mr. Osama Aigbe said he was not surprised at Comrade Aguebor’s gesture to the inmates of the Correctional Centre and Kinglucy Ophanage, noting that philanthropy has become part of her life as that what she does on routine basis.
Aigbe also commended Comrade Aguebor for her contributions to the APC in Uhunmwode Local Government Area and her Umagbae South Ward 6 of the party.
In their separate remarks, the chairman of APC in Umagbae South Ward 6 in Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Clifford Igbineweka and APC leader of the ward, Eerimwin Ose respectively, eulogised Lady Mechanic Aguebor for her initiative to train the women in the Correctional Centre in motor mechanic and for other initiatives which they said are geared towards women empowerment, adding that as she’s building the women, she’s building the nation.
High point of Comrade Aguebor’s birthday celebration at the Benin Correctional Centre was presentation of gift items to the female inmates after the birthday Thanksgiving service at the centre while the inmates drank soft drinks she shared with them and toast to her good health and that of the inmates.
Different gift items were also presented to the children at the Kinglucy Ophanage Home.
Lady Mechanic Sandra Aguebor Robert KOKOMA (MFR) is a recipient of the Nigeria National Honour of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR), she has trained over 2000 lady motor mechanics all over the country. Recently, Lady Mechanic as she’s called by her admirers facilitated the employment of several young persons from Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode Local Government Areas of Edo State, her Federal Constituency, into the Nigerian Ports Authority.
Lady Comr. Sandra Aguebor (MFR),
Deputy Director of Artisans for the Edo APC Governorship election campaign council
National president; lady Mechanic Association of Nigeria.
National Women leader; Amalgamated Union of motor Mechanics and Technicians of Nigeria (AUOMMATON).
National Vice President; Nigeria Skills Sector Council.