The Nigerian Correctional Service, (NCoS) has advocated support for free education policy by the management of the National Open University of Nigeria, (NOUN) for inmates undergoing various degree programmes at the institution, so as to encourage learning, and build requisite skills for them in preparation for life after incarceration
Director, of the Correctional Service Special Study Centre of the National Open University of Nigeria, Mr Francis Enobore who made the call,during a courtesy visit to the Controller-General of Corrections, (CG), Haliru Nababa on Tuesday in Abuja, stressed the importance of supporting the such free education policy for prisoners by government at all levels alongside well-meaning Nigerians, so as to sustain it
The Director in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO), of the Service, Abubakar Umar, stated that the cardinal objective of NOUN is to take quality education to the doorstep of every Nigerian, to learn at their own convenience and pace.
This, he observed, is critical to upscaling the much-needed human capacity development for societal growth.
According to him, NOUN considered the peculiar circumstances of persons behind bars and the limitations in accessing social services hence, the university graciously granted free tuition to inmates to enable them to benefit from the unique learning opportunity provided by the institution.
Enobore said of the 28,740 students that graduated recently from the university, 65 were inmates, including 7 who had Postgraduate degrees.
He, therefore, appealed to State Chief Executives and well-meaning Nigerians, including corporate bodies to support NOUN’s initiatives, which have helped many indigent prisoners to access education even to the doctorate level free of charge.
“NOUN programme runs on an e-education system. Therefore, the provision of computers, reliable sources of power, access to the internet and other sundry requirements are critical in facilitating learning.
“We must note that the character of an ex-convict is more often than not, a reflection of the quality and relevance of the training and reformation package he received while in incarceration,” he stressed.
Enobore who commended the CG for placing inmates’ education on the front burner in terms of education, noted that access to education remains a veritable tool for enduring offenders’ reformation and rehabilitation.
The Director, expressed delight in the quality of work in the recently rehabilitated facilities soon to be commissioned as special study centres.
On his part, Naba said that the NOUN scheme has provided a rare opportunity for the productive engagement of inmates in activities that guarantee socio-economic inclusiveness on discharge.
He stated that his administration is irrevocably committed to providing credible platforms that will support comprehensive reformation and rehabilitation of offenders in custody and are us evident in the robust attention given to education for inmates.
The Controller-General of Corrections promised to facilitate the establishment of more university study centres within the year to increase inmates access to the educational package.
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