House on the Rock, one of Nigeria’s leading faith-based organizations, recently hosted the 6th Annual Freedom Games at Kirikiri Maximum Prisons in Lagos.

The event, organized by the church’s Prisons Ministry, underscores the church’s commitment to supporting and inspiring inmates in Lagos prisons.

The Department of Prisons’ flagship event, the Freedom Games, aims to promote personal transformation among incarcerated individuals.

Chaplain Joe Ulaeto, representing Senior Chaplain Paul Adefarasin, opened the event with a message encouraging inmates to embrace their potential no matter their circumstances.

He emphasized the church’s focus on faith, empowerment and community restoration, which define House on the Rock’s prison outreach efforts.

The event featured athletic competitions, skill-building sessions and recreational activities, providing inmates with opportunities to showcase their talents and rebuild their self-worth.

Each year, participants are presented with awards and gifts that underscore the belief in the intrinsic value and purpose of each individual. This year’s games encouraged friendship and unity among inmates through team-building exercises to instill a renewed sense of purpose.

“The Freedom Games are part of House on the Rock’s mission to build bridges of hope and prepare inmates for eventual reintegration into society,” Ulaeto said in his message.

He emphasized that the Ministry of Prisons offers skills training and support beyond sport, including vocational initiatives such as the Tailoring Institute, where prisoners acquire practical skills for post-release employment.

The Deputy Controller General of the Lagos Correctional Institution, represented by the Controller of Corrections, Monehin Olusegun, lauded the ongoing efforts of House on the Rock in rehabilitation and reintegration.

Initiatives such as vocational training, legal aid and spiritual guidance complement the Freedom Games, creating a holistic approach to sustainable prisoner rehabilitation.