Matriculation
The Lagos Command of the Nigeria Correctional Service, has called for more collaboration and support, to enhance its operations, especially in the area of education.
Controller of the Command, George Daramola, made the call at the matriculation of 14 inmates at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) of
Ikoyi Medium Security Custodial Centre , on Wednesday in Lagos.
Daramola noted that education remained the best legacy to bequeath the citizenry irrespective of status.
He added that no meaningful progress would be achieved by any nation, if its citizens were not exposed to basic education
According to him, it is also a thing of joy to know that the mandate of the service is carried out fully, even as it seek to ensure inclusivity through sound education.
“I want to say that I was elated when I learnt about this ceremony here today, even though this is not the first time this is happening in our various centres.
“It is part of the achievements of the service to put this in place, to give the inmates a sense of belonging and to make life conducive, while serving their sentence and even hereafter.
“This ceremony is to make them know that they are not forgotten and that government is doing everything within its power to ensure a total integration for them into the larger society, “ he said.
He explained however that only convicted inmates are privileged to enroll into the facility’s NOUN, while commending the university’s management for the great work it was doing.
The NCS boss however frowned at the stigmatisation being suffered by the inmates after serving the sentences.
“The public must see them as part of the society. We equip them with various skills while they are here, and therefore, must embrace, accept, welcome them wholeheartedly, downplay any form of stigmatisation and give them hope, after they are discharged into the larger society,” he said.
Admonishing the matriculating inmates, the controller urged them to remain focused and strive to think less of themselves.
According to him, being in incarceration does not imply that they have nothing more to offer.
“You all chooses to enroll willfully into the university to further your studies, therefore, it makes it a lot easier for you. You must therefore be conscious of what you are doing.
“You have lofty goals and you must aim at achieving it. You must realise that being behind bars is not the end of the world.
“You are here for a purpose, to learn. Learning is a continuous process. We are here to reshape your lives, to reform, coupled with acquisition of skills. It is not by chance, only God knows why.
“We are sure that by the time you leave here someday, you will also make you parents, friends and well wishers proud by contributing your quota to national development,” he said.
Speaking on the challenges faced by the correctional facilities, the NCS boss stated that there was the need for more interventions from stakeholders, in the area of logistics, in a bid to further enhance their services.
“Government alone cannot do it all. So far, the Federal Government has done a lot in these correctional centres, but we still needs more support.
“However, let me seize this opportunity to commend the Lagos State Government for the support it has been rendering in this regard, especially in the area of logistics,
“We want to appeal for more vehicles, for conveying inmates from one custodial centre to the various courts across the state.
“Similarly, in the area of wellbeing, we also need drugs for the inmates in the various custodial centres. So, we want to call on NGOs, churches, and public spirited individuals to come to our aid in these respects,” he said.
Daramola also expressed concern over the issue of delayed dispensation of justice.
“This is one area that needs to be looked in, in a bid to decongest the facilities. Some crime by offenders dies not warrant them to be in the custodial centres.
“Such could be handled by non custodial service such as fine, parole, probation and restorative justice among others.This, if applied, will help in decongesting our custodial centres,” the controller stated.
On his part, Julius Ebereonwu, Dep. Controller, Corrections incharge of the Ikoyi medium custodial centre, reiterated the service’s commitment in delivering quality education to all inmates desirous of further learning.
According to him, there are lots of opportunities abound for the inmates through education, irrespective of where the have found themselves.
“Today’s ceremony will stun some members of the public that we a running university education here behind the prison walls.
“The implication hereof is therefore that here in the Ikoyi medium security correctional centre, we are running an all inclusive educational programme, from primary through the university level.
“I love education and when I assumed office, I saw the need to classify our academic programmes and indeed, I wasted no time invite the NOUN for the approval of an examination centre, which eventually came to be after meeting its pre conditions.
”Our students no longer go to the Kirikiri Maximum Correctional centre to access their examinations, or conduct both matriculation and convocation. It all takes place here.
“Like the late Nelson Mandela of South Africa will say; Education remains the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.
“It is therefore imperative for us that once one is incarcerated in this correctional facility, such persons cannot go out the same way he came in,” he said
He noted that learning skills was one of the most important function of the mandate of the service that texturised reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration.
The deputy controller noted that the centre had graduated inmates with enviable CGPAs, while promising to turn out some in the first class division soon.
The Vice Chancellor of the NOUN, Prof. Femi Peters commended the matriculating students for taking such bold step, noting that it was the beginning of greatness.
Peters who was represented by Prof. Fisayo Arowosegbe, an official of the university, noted that the vision of NOUN was to raise people not bordered by place, time or distance.
“I want to officially welcome you all into the institution, where there is no retreat, no surrender, rather, aspiring for the top. The greatest asset you have is your mind.
“The body can be imprisoned or caged, but your mind can’t be caged,” he admonished the students.
Principal of the facility’s school, ASC Ondache Balogun noted that the inmates were admitted into various programmes such as Peace Study and Conflict Resolution, Christian Theology, Philosophy and Political Science among others.
