Nigerians have been urged to accept in their midst inmates who have regained their freedom and are back in society.
The call followed the graduation of nine inmates of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Port Harcourt, from the National Open University of Nigeria in various disciplines.
The inmates, who graduated after the successful completion of their programs for the 2022/2023 academic session, did not join their counterparts in the convocation ceremony on March 25, 2023, due to their incarceration.
Speaking after the ceremony on Thursday at the Port Harcourt correctional facility, the Controller-General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa, said the graduands have been transformed.
Nababa also attributed the successful reformation of the inmates to the Service’s partnership with NOUN, adding that the agency will continue to provide an environment conducive to the reformation of inmates.
He noted, “As a Service, we celebrate yet another milestone in our statutory call to reform and better the lives of those in our care.
“One of the best things that have happened to the Nigerian Correctional Service, and indeed Nigeria as a whole is the fruitful partnership between NOUN and the NCoS.
“On our part, we will not relent in our commitment to providing a conducive environment for proper reformation of inmates which of course includes unrestricted access to quality education. It is our statutory duty and we will continue to discharge it with the passion and zeal it requires.”
Presenting the certificates to the graduating inmates, the Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Olufemi Peters, urged other inmates still studying with the university to be resolute towards achieving their goals.
Olufemi who was represented by the Director of Port Harcourt Study Centre, said, “These nine inmates have actually distinguished themselves, showing that they are capable and today we are honouring them.
“Do not allow anyone to talk you down, but remain focused towards achieving your life’s goals.”
On his part, The Deputy Controller of Corrections in charge of Port Harcourt, Effiong Etim, stated that the Service had put in place modalities to support inmates who are willing to enrol on the programme, adding that the aim of the programme is to reform the inmates.
“It is not enough being a graduate or being educated, but education must pass through you. You must be morally upright. We are already encouraging others to enroll in the programme because education is one of the ways of reforming a person.
“We have religion and recreation, but among all, education is paramount because if you are informed, you will not be deformed.”
Speaking on behalf of the graduating inmates, Magnus Suanu thanked the Nigerian Correctional Service and NOUN for extending the opportunity to them in prison.
Suanu stated, “We commend former President Olusegun Obasanjo for initiating the programme, and also appreciate subsequent presidents and the NCoS for sustaining it.”