Three inmates of Kuje Correctional Service have graduated from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) with degrees and diplomas in various disciplines.
The inmates were presented with their certificates at a special convocation ceremony organised by the NOUN at the Kuje Custodial Centre in the FCT.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the graduates included Dabu Christian-Picador, who bagged Bachelor of Science Degree in Entrepreneurship and Business Management, Nurudeen Na’Allah, B.Ed Primary Education, and Jacob Olom, PGD Business Administration.
In his remarks, the Controller General, Nigeria Correctional Service, Mr Haliru Nababa, said the event was a testimony of the opportunities available to inmates to plan their lives and come out of correctional centres as better citizens.
He said education remained a very powerful transformative tool for individuals and society, and urged all inmates to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the partnership between NCoS and NOUN to acquire new certificates.
Nababa who was represented by the Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Ibrahim Idris, said the three inmates have upgraded themselves and would have no fear of stigmatisation wherever they will find themselves after their release.
He appreciated NOUN for supporting the reform of inmates through education, adding that since the inception of the partnership, over 200 inmates have enrolled for tertiary education from the Kuje centre alone.
Nababa enjoined other inmates to take advantage of the free education and other vocational skills available to them, to equip themselves with knowledge and skills for a better future.
“Other inmates should take advantage of this free education to get themselves equipped for success in the larger society upon release.
“We appreciate NOUN for the partnership with the NCoS on the “Right To Education” project for the inmates, as enshrined in the NCoS Act 2019.
“The partnership is not only useful in the number of certificates issued, but also in helping to curb insecurity by making the inmates busy and hopeful of the future,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor, NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, congratulated the three graduates, saying it was a testimony of their commitment and determination to change their future.
Peters, represented by the National Coordinator, Special Study Centres, Mrs Modupe Adesina, said in spite of their circumstances, the new educational qualifications would add value and prepare them for meaningful roles in the wider society.
The vice chancellor urged other inmates to also take up the challenge and improve and empower themselves for self-reliance.
The Director of the study centre, Francis Enobore called on the public to desist from stigmatising ex-offenders, but rather support them to reshape their lives to be more responsible citizens.
In his remarks, the Deputy Controller of Corrections in-charge of Kuje Custodial Centre, Christopher Jen, applauded the graduates, and advised them to also enrol for vocational skill training to enhance their marketability upon their release.
Christian-Picador, who spoke on behalf of the graduates, appreciated the NCoS and NOUN for helping them rediscover themselves and putting them in the right path through academics.
He said that they felt fulfilled and were full of joy for the opportunity, and urged other inmates to also enrol in NOUN to upgrade themselves educationally.
Christian-Picador assured that they would remain agents of change in the society upon their release. (NAN)
DISCLAIMER
The OPINION / COLUMN is authored by independent contributors to the National Accord Newspaper. While contributors adhere to our editorial guidelines, they are not employed by the National Accord Newspaper. The perspectives and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent the views of the National Accord Newspaper or its staff.
Leave a Reply