By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
The Lagos Command of the Nigeria Correctional Service has called for more collaboration and support to enhance its operations, especially in the area of education.
The Controller of the command, Mr George Daramola, made the call at the matriculation of 14 inmates of Ikoyi Medium Security Custodial Centre, who gained admission into the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), in Lagos.
Daramola said that education remained the best legacy to bequeath to the citizenry irrespective of status.
He added that no meaningful progress would be achieved by any nation, if its citizens would not be exposed to education.
“I was elated when I learnt about this ceremony although this is not the first time this is happening.
“It is part of the achievements of the service to put this in place to give the inmates a sense of belonging while they serve their sentences and even hereafter.
“This ceremony is to make them know that they are not forgotten and that government is doing everything within its power to ensure integration for them into the larger society,” he said.
He praised NOUN management for efforts in education.
Daramola frowned at stigmatisation of prisoners after serving their sentences.
“The public must see them as part of the society.
“We equip them with various skills while they are here; therefore, the society should embrace, accept and welcome them wholeheartedly, avoid any form of stigmatisation and give them hope,” he said.
He advised the matriculating inmates to remain focused.
According to him, being in incarceration does not imply having nothing more to offer.
“You all wilfully chose to enrol into the university to further your studies; you must, therefore, be conscious of what you are doing.
“You have lofty goals, and you must aim at achieving it. You must realise that being behind bars is not the end of the world.
“Learning is a continuous process. We are here to reshape your lives, to reform you,” he said.
On challenges faced by the correctional centre, he said that there was the need for more interventions from stakeholders in the area of logistics.
“Government alone cannot do it all. The Federal Government has done a lot in correctional centres, but we still need more support.
“Let me seize this opportunity to commend the Lagos State Government for the support it has been rendering, especially in the area of logistics.
“We want to appeal for more vehicles for conveying inmates from our custodial centres to the various courts across the state.
“We also need drugs for inmates in the various custodial centres. We want to call on NGOs, churches and public-spirited individuals to come to our aid,” he said.
Daramola expressed concern over delayed dispensation of justice.
“This is one area that needs to be looked into in a bid to decongest the facilities.”
He said that some crimes did not warrant the offender to be in custody.
“Such could be handled through non-custodial service such as fine, parole, probation and restorative justice, among others,” the controller stated.
Mr Julius Ebereonwu, Deputy Controller, Corrections, Ikoyi Medium Custodial Centre, reiterated the centre’s commitment to delivering quality education to all inmates desirous of further learning.
According to him, there are lots of opportunities for inmates through education, irrespective of where they have found themselves.
“We a running university education here behind the prison walls.
“We are running an all-inclusive educational programme, from primary through the university level.
The Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Femi Peters, commended the matriculating students for taking a bold step, saying that it was the beginning of their greatness.
Peters, who was represented by Prof. Fisayo Arowosegbe, an official of the university, noted that the vision of NOUN was to ensure that place, time or distance would not hinder education.
“The body can be imprisoned or caged, but your mind can’t be caged,” he told the inmates.
The Principal of the custodial facility’s school, ASC Ondache Balogun, said that the inmates were admitted into various programmes such as Peace Study and Conflict Resolution, Christian Theology, Philosophy and Political Science. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu/Ijeoma Popoola
