President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Nwakuche Sylvester Ndidi as the acting controller-general of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) following the expiration of Haliru Nababa’s tenure after reaching the mandatory retirement age.
Ndidi’s appointment who until the latest development was the deputy controller -general in charge of training and staff development takes effect from December 15, 2024.
President Tinubu encouraged Ndidi to leverage on his vast experience in his new role.
Meanwhile , the outgoing controller-general, Haliru Nababa , yesterday bid farewell to the service at a Pulling-Out Parade at the national headquarters in Abuja.
Nababa, whose career began in 1990 and culminated in his appointment as controller-general in May 2021, expressed his gratitude to God for a successful tenure.
Reflecting on his leadership, he credited the NCoS’s advancements to his inclusive management style, which fostered collaboration with key stakeholders to overcome challenges.
Nababa in his farewell speech acknowledged the immense responsibilities that came with his role, recognising the challenges he faced from the outset. He however credited the significant strides he made in areas like security, logistics, healthcare services, staff development, and the welfare of both staff and inmates to the support of his management team and field officers.
He expressed his gratitude to President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the nation and thanked the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for his unwavering support, particularly in improving personnel conditions and inmate welfare.
A key part of his address was a heartfelt acknowledgment of his predecessors, who laid the foundation that enabled his administration to build upon and advance the service’s mission. Nababa also commended his colleagues for their dedication, urging them to uphold the highest professional standards and protect the service’s reputation.
He said, “To my successor, I extend my very best wishes. I trust you will lead this noble institution with loyalty, vision, and integrity.”
Nababa’s tenure is remembered for modernising the NCoS, strengthening security frameworks, enhancing inmate rehabilitation programmes, and prioritising staff welfare, leaving a lasting impact on the institution.
In his goodwill message, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, lauded Nababa’s leadership, describing his tenure as one characterised by exceptional dedication, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment.
Tunji-ojo highlighted the tremendous progress made under Nababa’s stewardship in advancing the core mandate of the Nigerian Correctional Service, particularly in the areas of inmate reform, rehabilitation, and reintegration into society—efforts that align with the federal government’s goal of ensuring public safety while upholding justice.
The minister commended Nababa for his focus on innovation, professionalism, and the welfare of both officers and inmates, noting that these initiatives have set a new standard within the Service. He wished Nababa all the best as he steps into a well-deserved retirement.
