One hundred-and-twenty inmates of Enugu Custodial Centre have gained admission into the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
NOUN has a special study centre at the custodial centre.
Addressing the matriculating students and 11 others, who just graduated, the Controller-General of Corrections, Mr Haliru Nababa, said the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) focused on using education as tool for reformation and re-orientation of inmates.
“The NCoS has committed resources to ensure that inmates develop themselves while in custody to ensure public protection.
“I thank non-governmental organisations, faith-based organisations and NOUN for their partnership over the years,’’ he said.
Nababa was represented at the occasion by the Controller of Corrections in Enugu State, Mr. Nicholas Obiako.
In his remarks, Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, cautioned the matriculating inmates to be of good behaviour and to shun acts capable of truncating their educational pursuits.
He also presented first degree certificates to 11 inmates who graduated from the centre.
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Peters was represented by the Director, Enugu Special Study Centre, Prof. Alexander Onyia, who administered the oath of allegiance on the newly-admitted inmates.
Officer-in-charge of the custodial centre, Mr. Joseph Usifo, commended the inmates over the educational feat they had attained.
Usifo, a Deputy Controller of Corrections, urged other inmates to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the NCoS to better their lots educationally.
Present at the event were representatives of the state’s Ministry of Justice, the National Directorate of Employment, the state’s Ministry of Education, Federal Road Safety Corps and Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action. (NAN)
