By CHARLES IWUOHA

No fewer than 120 inmates of Enugu Custodial Centre have gained admission to study at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) special study centre at Enugu Custodial Centre.

In an address during the matriculation and convocation at the NOUN special study centre on Thursday, the Controller General of Corrections, Mr Haliru Nababa, said that a total of 11 inmates were performing their convocation.

Nababa, who was ably represented by the Controller of Corrections in Enugu State, Mr Nicholas Obiako, said that the inmates were graduating with flying colours from various courses at the university.

“My administration is focused on using education as a viable tool for reformation and re-orientation of the inmates.

“The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) under my watch have committed available resources to ensure that inmates develop themselves while in custody to ensure public protection.

“I will want to use this occasion to thank non-governmental organizations, faith-based organisations and NOUN for their partnership over these years,” he said.

Speaking, the Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, represented by the Director Enugu special study centre, Prof. Alexander Onyia, administered the oath of allegiance on the newly admitted inmates.

Peters cautioned the matriculating inmates to be of good behaviour and shun acts capable of truncating their educational pursuit.

The vice chancellor also presented first degree certificates to 11 graduating inmates of the centre.

Later, the Officer in-charge of Enugu Custodial Centre, Mr Joseph Usifo, commended the inmates for the educational feat they have attained.

Usifo, who is a Deputy Controller of Corrections, urged other inmates to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the Controller General of Corrections to better their lots educationally.

The Assistant Controller of Corrections, Mr Kevin Iloafonsi, who is the desk officer of the study centre, said that the study centre started with 11 inmates but now have over 500 students.

Iloafonsi said that study centre had created platform where inmates can realise their educational dreams, adding that no inmate who passed through the programme comes back to jail.

Present at the event included representatives of state Ministry of Justice, National Directorate of Employment, state Ministry of Education, Federal Road Safety Corps and Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA).

Others are: Rev. Fr. Ambrose Ekereoku, Executive Director of Carmelite Prisoners' Interest Organization (CAPIO) and Dr Clinton Kanu as well as Theophilus Adeniyi, who is presently writing his PhD thesis at University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

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