The member representing Ikwo/Ezza South federal constituency and chairman of the House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, Hon. Chinedu Ogah, has applauded the resilience and determination of the 28 Abakaliki prison inmates who have been screened and found qualified as pioneer students of the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN Special Study Centre, Abakaliki Correctional Center, Ebonyi State.
Ogah, who made the disclosure during the inauguration of the National Open University of Nigeria, Special Study Centre Abakaliki Correctional Centre, said being an inmate should not deprive anyone of his academic pursuits.
He noted that it takes determination, zeal, and commitment to be a prison inmate and still pursue academic excellence. He added that his foundation will assist the 25 inmates in the first-degree programme and 3 in the Master’s Degree programme in completing their studies without any hitch.
Hon Ogah commended the collaborative efforts of stakeholders working to reform correctional facilities across Nigeria and reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to enhancing the welfare and rehabilitation of inmates nationwide.
He encouraged the inmates at the correctional centre to remain hopeful and embrace education as a powerful tool for personal transformation and reintegration into society.
“The school has been equipped with modern facilities, and everything, including the school fees, books, and other materials, is completely free.
“There’s a reason God brought you to the correctional centre. Use this opportunity to transform your life and secure a better future,” he said.
He also commended the educational vision of the Ebonyi State, Governor Francis Nwifuru, describing the establishment of the centre as a complement to the governor’s sustained commitment to education.
He noted that Governor Nwifuru has awarded over 1,000 scholarships to students pursuing postgraduate degrees both in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Hon Ogah further noted that his foundation, Chinedu Ogah Foundation, in collaboration with the NOUN Board, fully renovated, furnished, and donated the facility.
The national coordinator of NOUN Special Study Centres, Mrs. Modukwe Adesina, said that over 2,000 inmates across the country have benefited from the NOUN scholarship programme, adding that 207 have so far graduated through the academic programmes at the different custodial centres.
“We have Special Study Centers in the Army, Police, Immigration, Air Force, and Correctional Centres. In the correctional centres, we have both inmates and non-inmates. Over 2000 people have so far benefited from the Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship programme.
“We have also graduated 207 inmates from programmes ranging from undergraduate to postgraduate in 12 correctional centres. Abakaliki Correctional Center is the 15th correctional center approved by the NOUN Vice Chancellor, and we have an educational desk officer for each centre.”
The Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, represented by the zonal coordinator, Zone “M”, Lolo Prisca Oku, said that the centre will afford the inmates the opportunity to acquire sound education, gain new skills and prepare them for a better tomorrow while serving their sentences.
She said that the gesture aligns with the vision of a correctional system that produces reformed individuals who will return to society as useful, productive, law-abiding citizens.
She said that the centre would need monetary donations, study equipment and learning materials like computers, textbooks, projectors, printers, photocopiers and E-Library to sustain the operation of the center,
She commended the support of development partners, like the Mercy Foundation under the Sundan Mission, Netherlands, for their role in equipping the facility and Hon. Ogah for his direct involvement in the renovation and transformation of the hall that now serves as the study centre.
