One hundred-and-twenty inmates of Enugu Custodial Centre have gained admission into the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
NOUN has a special study centre at the custodial centre.
Addressing the matriculating students and 11 others, who just graduated, the Controller-General of Corrections, Mr Haliru Nababa, said the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) focused on using education as tool for reformation and re-orientation of inmates.
“The NCoS has committed resources to ensure that inmates develop themselves while in custody to ensure public protection.
“I thank non-governmental organisations, faith-based organisations and NOUN for their partnership over the years,’’ he said.
Nababa was represented at the occasion by the Controller of Corrections in Enugu State, Mr Nicholas Obiako.
In his remarks, Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, cautioned the matriculating inmates to be of good behaviour and to shun acts capable of truncating their educational pursuits.
He also presented first degree certificates to 11 inmates who graduated from the centre.
Peters was represented by the Director, Enugu Special Study Centre, Prof. Alexander Onyia, who administered the oath of allegiance on the newly-admitted inmates.
Officer-in-charge of the custodial centre, Mr Joseph Usifo, commended the inmates over the educational feat they had attained.
Usifo, a Deputy Controller of Corrections, urged other inmates to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the NCoS to better their lots educationally.
Present at the event were representatives of the state’s Ministry of Justice, the National Directorate of Employment, the state’s Ministry of Education, Federal Road Safety Corps and Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) advised its newly recruited officers to maintain discipline and exhibit the highest level of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
The NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Abubakar Audi, gave the advice during the passing out parade of the 2019 recruited officers in Katsina on Wednesday.
The 368 recruited officers participated in a three-months training in Katsina state.
Audi was represented by ACG Babangida Abdullahi, the Provost, College of Peace and Disaster Management, Katsina.
According to him, the recruitment is part of the efforts to resuscitate and reposition the NSCDC for improved service delivery.
He assured the officers of the corps’ readiness to safeguard their welfare to boost morale and encourage effective discharge of duties.
The commandant general further emphasised that more training and retraining on counter-terrorism and intelligence gathering would be organised to improve the capacity of officers and men of the corps.
The state NSCDC Commandant, Mr Mohammed Sanusi-Bello, thanked Audi for his efforts in providing all the needed equipment for completion of the recruitment.
Sanusi-Bello also commended Gov. Aminu Masari, for his continuous support to the corps in the state.
He urged the newly recruited officers to show the highest level of integrity and loyalty to the constitution of Nigeria.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the governor on Drug Narcotics assured the corps of the state government readiness to assist them in the protection of lives and properties of the citizenry.
