The Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), CG Sylvester Nwakuche, says sports and sporting activities remained major integral part of correctional reforms tailored to ensure quick integration of released inmates.
Nwakuche said this on Friday, after presenting trophies and awards to the winners of 2026 Edition of the Annual Maximum Security Custodial Centre Inmate Football Tournament in Enugu.
The final match of the tournament between LKP Team and IDR Team ended 1 – O; in favour of LKP Team.
Represented by the Assistant Controller General of Corrections in-charge of Zone M, Enugu, Prisca Oku, the NCoS boss said that sports reformation programmes have extended to chess, wrestling, tennis and judo among other indoor sports.
He said: “We are intentional on using sports as a major means of reform since we understand the passion that drive sports and how valuable the society holds sports talents.
“It is clear that we have overwhelming number of talents, which sports tournaments and activities will bring out and these discovered talents bring honour to the country, states, teams/clubs and their families and friends.”
Nwakuche lauded reigning Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Rangers International for taking interest in the tournament and picking the most valuable player as its newest discovered player, who would join the team immediately his term is over.
He called on philanthropists, wealthy individuals, organisations and clubs to pick interest in sports reformation programmes of the NCoS and invest in the sports programmes ensuring pick and follow up of discovered talents.
The controller general stressed that participation in sports and sporting activities help inmates to serve their terms with ease, strengthen their health, build healthy social bonds and ensure seamless social integration.
Earlier, Sunday Igwe, the deputy controller of corrections in-charge of Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Enugu, said that the football tournament had enlivened the centre, while lightening the mood of the inmates.
According to him, sports play a vital role in inmates reformation and is an avenue for them to showcase their God given talents.
“Sports also helps to condition inmates psych positively, ensuring friendly disposition towards life and making their positive social integration and cooperation easier.
“Sports programmes lead to better reform and those talented in sports having what to fall on as means of livelihood when they leave the centre,” Igwe said.
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Speaking, the General Manager of Rangers International FC, Amobi Ezeaku, who was represented by Assisted Manager, Sunday Ezeh, said that the club would continue to support football talent discovery especially in the centre.
The Commandant of Correctional Training Staff College, Enugu, Mariam Mere, presented the first runner-up, IDP, with their medals, cash award and trophy.
The tournament, which started on August 10, featured eight teams, who played on a round robbing arrangement before the leading four that played the semi finals emerged. The third place match was played on September 9.
A cash award was given to the most valuable player, highest goal scorer, best defender, best goalkeeper and best behaved team of the tournament.
