By CHARLES IWUOHA

The new Controller of Corrections in Enugu State, Mr Nicholas Obiako, has assumed duty in Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Enugu State Command as its 21st controller, urging personnel to redouble their efforts.

Obiako took over office from the out-gone Controller, Mr Godwin Onokohwomomo, who had been redeployed to NCoS Zone G Headquarters in Benin.

Speaking to newsmen in Enugu on Tuesday, the new controller said that he wanted maximum cooperation from all NCoS personnel within the Command, adding: “There is a need for all to redouble their efforts”.

According to him, I want the personnel this particular time to be fully alive to their duties and other assigned responsibilities.

“Every good administrator wants to leave a legacy; and I want all to be up and doing and ensure there are synergy, understanding and cordiality within the Command.

“I will ensure that the three custodian centres – Enugu, Nsukka and Oji River – within the Command remains peaceful, neat and being custodian centres of excellence where serious inmate reformation will be done.

“I will also work for stronger collaboration between the Command and other sister security agencies in the state so that we can gain from one another expertise and specialties,” he said.

Obiako said that the command under his watch would work hand-in-hand with the judiciary especially the Chief Judge of the state to have regular jail delivery.

“Of course from records the state ministry of justice and the Chief Judge have been doing marvelously well and we intend to expand the existing collaboration for the benefit of all starting from when I call at their offices,” he added.

The new controller, however, appreciated the Controller General of the NCoS, Mr Haliru Nababa, for the opportunity to serve in the Command and bring his wealth of experience in the reformation of inmates to better the society.

Obiako, who is combatant by training, was commissioned into the NCoS service as an Assistant Superintendent of Prisons (ASP) now Assistant Superintendent of Corrections (ASC) in 1991.

He had previously held remarkable positions within NCoS such as the Assistant Controller in-charge of Operations in NCoS Imo State Command.

He was one time Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) and Commandant of Correctional Arms Squad Training School, Owerri as well as later DCC in-charge of Calabar custodian centre in Cross River.

While serving in Calabar custodian centre, he was promoted to Controller of Corrections; and redeployed to Zone E Headquarters, Owerri, where he served as Controller of Corrections in-charge of operations at the zone before being deployed to NCoS Enugu State Command.