Haliru Nababa, Controller General of Corrections
About 3000 prisoners across the country are presently undergoing studies as undergraduates in universities and other schools of higher learnings.
The Controller General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa made this known during the matriculation ceremony of eleven inmates of the Nigerian Correctional Service at Old Abeokuta, Ibara Custodial Center, Ogun State Command early in the week.
The inmates who were matriculated into the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) were admitted to study various courses such as Business Administration, Political Science, Criminology and Security Studies, Peace and Conflict Resolution and Public Administration.
The Controller General of Corrections represented by the Controller of Corrections, Ogun State Command Abdurasheed Alimi also revealed that this would be the third matriculation ceremony in the Custodial Center, under the auspices of NOUN .
He noted that the partnership with NOUN has produced not only graduates but master’s degree and PhD holders in the recent past.
This ceremony has brought the number of inmates of Ibara Custodial Center studying various courses degree programs at the NOUN to Sixty one.(61) including two Masters Degree students.
“We also have about 150 students running National Certificate of Education (NCE) programmes with the Yewa College of Education, Ogun State. This is aside the adult literacy classes and refresher education programme that prepares inmates for NABTEB, WAEC, NECO and UME”, the Controller General of Corrections revealed.
The Controller General of Corrections implored the matriculating students and other inmates to take advantage of the opportunity given to them to add value to their lives.
He reiterated that the occasion underscores the core of the mandate of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) which is to reform and rehabilitate those in its care and subsequently reintegrate them back to the society.
He assured that NCoS has continued to deliver on its mandate through a plethora of academic and vocational skills acquisition, as well as psychosocial support programs for inmates.
He also appreciated His Excellency, President MUHAMADU BUHARI, CGFR for his support for the service and extended same to other development partners.
In his address, The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters represented by Dr Segun Adenuga the Director, Abeokuta Study Center assured the inmates of NOUN that their studies would be seamless, peaceful and safe.
He urged them not to disgrace NOUN in their conduct. He also challenged them to be studious, thirst for knowledge and be a generation that will restore Africa’s pride to help change the continent after their release from custody.
He expressed gratitude of the NOUN management to NCoS for its cooperation with NOUN and specially commended the efforts of ASC 1 Awesu Abdulhakeem the welfare and Education desk officer of the Custodial Center for his commitment to make the study seamless.
The third matriculation of inmates of the Custodial Center into NOUN was also witnessed by the Director of Mass Literary, Ogun State, Alhaji Mikail Lawal who represented the Hon. Commissioner for Education for Ogun State PROFESSOR ABAYOMI ARIGBABU
.The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters represented by Dr Segun Adenuga the Director of Abeokuta Study center took the enrollee through Orientation Program.
