Controller General Says Correctional Service Study Centres' Are Essential

The controller general of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Mr. Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche has said that the establishment of the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, Study Centres in the different correctional facilities across the country represents a major step forward in inmates’ education.

The controller general of the service made the disclosure in a commendation letter addressed to the chairman House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions and member representing Ikwo/Ezza South federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Chinedu Ogah.

Nwakuche commended Ogah for his significant contribution to the establishment of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Study Centre at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

He noted that the study centre will provide the inmates with a rare opportunity to acquire formal qualifications, enhance personal growth, and prepare for meaningful reintegration into the society.

He maintained that the initiative will help reduce recidivism and promote a safer society.

“I write to respectfully express my profound appreciation to you for your invaluable contribution towards the establishment of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Study Centre at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

“Indeed, your instrumental role in facilitating this laudable project is a clear testament to your commitment to the advancement of tertiary education within our custodial centres nationwide.

“The Service deeply appreciates your continued advocacy, partnership, and support for policies and programmes that promote humane, effective, and progressive correctional administration in Nigeria.

Hon. Ogah applauded the resilience, determination and commitment of the 28 inmates since they were admitted into the institution adding that no inmate should be deprived of his academic pursuits because of incarceration.

“No inmate should be denied quality education because he or she committed an offence. I decided to facilitate the establishment of the study center to enable inmates with the vision and mission of academic pursuit not to be deprived of such opportunity.

“There are lots of inmates in the different correctional facilities today that will become doctors, Engineers, lawyers and many other professionals if given opportunity to have access to quality education. What we did and will continue to do is to complement the efforts of the State Governor, Francis Nwifuru in the education sector.

“In no distant time, we will be having inmates graduating from the National Open University of Nigerian, NOUN, by the time they will be leaving the facility, they will be going home not as school dropout anymore but as graduates or undergraduates.

“It takes determination, zeal, and commitment to be a prison inmate and still pursue academic excellence. Our foundation, Chinedu Ogah 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.

“I must also extend my appreciate to the Controller General for appreciating this gesture of mine and the collaborative efforts of other stakeholders working to reform correctional facilities across Nigeria.