Paul Michael, Defence Editor/Abuja
The Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Nababa Haliru has said over 3,000 inmates are currently undergoing various programmes with Higher institutions that are in partnership with the Service across the country.
Haliru made the disclosure during the matriculation of about thirty-four (34) inmates who have the NCoS facilitated their admission into the Yewa Central College of Education in Ogun State.
In his welcome address, Haliru who was represented by the Controller of Correctional Service, Ogun State Command, Abdurasheed Alimi, implored the matriculating students and other inmates to take advantage of the opportunity given by the College to add value to their lives
He reiterated that the occasion underscores the core mandate of the NCoS, which is to reform and rehabilitate those in its care and subsequently reintegrate them back into the society.
Haliru stated that the Service has continued to deliver on its mandate through a plethora of academic and vocational skills acquisition programmes, as well as psychosocial support for inmates.
While appreciating the effort of development partners, he commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the rare commitment to life-changing programmes for offenders in custody.
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The CG seized the opportunity to call on members of the public to look beyond the old broken life of offenders and consider assisting them to settle peacefully in the society, stressing that such is the only way to break the circle of re-offending.
The Provost of the College, Prof Olufemi Bamigbose while giving his address, charged the inmates to be ready to make positive contributions to the society and the college through their conduct.
Bamigbose revealed that over 100 students have graduated from Ibara Custodial Center Campus, adding that some of them are now students of the National Open University of Nigeria.
He expressed the gratitude of the College to NCoS for its cooperation and commended the effort of the welfare and Education desk officer of Ibara Custodial Center, ASC I Awesu Abdulhakeem, for his commitment to ensuring that inmates have seamless studies.
In his remarks, the officer in charge of Ibara Custodial Center, DCC Ayodeji Shuaib appreciated the Controller General of the Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa for setting the laudable pace. He maintained that acquiring western education would rehabilitate the inmates and make them independent when they gain freedom.
The matriculated inmates are to receive lectures at Ibara and Ilaro custodial center campuses to study different courses such as Business Education, Political Science, Music, Agricultural Education, Biology, Social Studies, Religious Studies, and English Language.
This is the seventh NCE matriculation at the Ibara Custodial Center while the second is in Ilaro Custodial Center under the auspices of Yewa Central College of Education.
The ceremony was witnessed by the officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Education.
