How Kirikiri Prison Transformed My Life

I never thought I'd end up in prison. I was just a naive young woman who made a mistake. But one bad decision led to another, and soon I found myself behind bars.
Kirikiri Prison is a notorious maximum-security facility in Lagos, Nigeria. It's overcrowded, unsanitary, and violent. But for me, it was also a place of transformation.
I was terrified when I first arrived at Kirikiri. I didn't know what to expect, and I was scared of the other inmates. But I quickly learned that not everyone in prison is a monster. In fact, some of the kindest people I've ever met were my fellow inmates.
We supported each other through the tough times, and we helped each other to heal. We shared our stories, our hopes, and our dreams. And we learned to forgive ourselves and others.
I was released from Kirikiri after two years. I was a changed woman. I was no longer the naive young woman who had made a mistake. I was a strong, resilient woman who had learned to survive and thrive in the face of adversity.
I'm grateful for my time in Kirikiri. It was a difficult experience, but it taught me so much about myself and about life. I wouldn't be the same person I am today without it.
Here are some of the ways that Kirikiri transformed my life:

I learned to be grateful for the little things in life.
I learned to be compassionate towards others.
I learned to forgive myself.
I learned to appreciate the importance of family and friends.
I learned that I am capable of anything I set my mind to.