By IBIRONKE ARIYO

The Federal Government has urged the newly decorated Controller General, Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, to spearhead the transformation of the service by prioritising rehabilitation and reform over punishment.

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the appeal during the decoration ceremony on Friday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Senate on March 25 confirmed the appointment of Nwakuche as the substantive NCoS C-G.

Nwakuche, who replaced Haliru Nababa, was appointed in an acting capacity by President Bola Tinubu on Dec. 13, 2024

While addressing the newly decorated NCoS C-G, the minister emphasised the need for strong leadership, accountability, and a clear vision to drive the future of the correctional system.

Tunji-Ojo stated, ?Mr President has placed his trust in you by selecting you as C-G. It is crucial that you fully understand your mandates, objectives, and goals, and ensure you set clear timelines for achieving them.

?You have a huge national responsibility to protect over 256 custodial centres. You must lead from the front,? he said.

The minister tasked Nwakuche with establishing a strong foundation for the service over the next 19 months, highlighting the importance of improving operational standards and creating a lasting legacy.

?We want stability in the NCoS. We do not want a condemnation service but a transformative one. We want custodial centres to be a place where hopes will be renewed,? he stated.

Highlighting the humane aspect of corrections, the minister described inmates as ?awaiting assets? to the nation, urging the CG to treat them with dignity.

?All inmates are your children. Do not maltreat your children, but correct them so they can be better,? he said.

Also, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, reiterated the weight of the expectations ahead.

?You have a lot to do. Nigerians and the Ministry of Interior are looking up to you. We want to change the narrative of the correctional service,? she said.

In his remarks, Nwakuche conveyed his heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Nigerian Correctional Service, describing it as a ?defining moment? for the institution.

He said that the honour came not merely as a promotion, but as a renewed.call to duty and a higher charge to advance the vision of a correctional system that was secure, humane, and truly reformative.

The NCoS boss outlined a seven-point agenda of reform, prioritising security, decongestion, infrastructure, staff welfare, and inmates? rehabilitation.

?The safe custody of inmates is our primary responsibility.

?This administration will focus on expanding manpower, strengthening surveillance, and promoting non-custodial measures to ease overcrowding.

?With over two-thirds of our inmate population being Awaiting Trial Persons, we will aggressively pursue decongestion by engaging the judiciary, state governments, and other stakeholders,?he said.

Nwakuche also pledged to invest in staff training and welfare, modernise facilities, and prioritise the youth rehabilitation.

?Our youths must not be lost to the streets or to crime. We will revitalise and expand Borstal Institutions to provide correction, character reformation, and hope to young offenders,? he said.

The NCoS C-G called on staff and partners to support the reform agenda, stressing, ?together, we can make the Service a shining example of what purposeful leadership and dedicated teamwork can achieve.?(NAN)

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