NOUN commissions 15th Special Study Centre in Abakaliki Custodial Centre with 28 pioneer students

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has inaugurated its Special Study Centre in the Abakaliki Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ebonyi State.

 

The Centre brings the number of NOUN Special Study Centres in Correctional facilities across the country to 15.

 

The Abakaliki Custodial study centre was established with the support of the Mercy Foundation, under the Sudan Mission, Netherlands, and implemented by its Nigerian partner, Chijioke Mercy Foundation, Abakaliki.

 

The inauguration was held Saturday at the open yard of the Abakaliki Custodial Centre, Ebonyi State capital.

 

In an inauguration address, the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakauche, described it as “a significant breakthrough reflecting the collective commitment to reposition the Nigerian Correctional Service from a system that was once predominantly punitive to one that is reformative, rehabilitative and reintegrative.”

 

Nwakauche, represented by the Zonal Coordinator, Zone M of the service, Mrs Prisca Chioma Oku, noted that the initiative was aimed at providing inmates with the rare opportunity to acquire knowledge, skills and academic qualifications that will empower them to lead productive lives upon integration into the Society.

 

The CG announced that 28 inmates of the custodial centres had been admitted as pioneer students, out of which 25 were enrolled in undergraduate progammes while 3 were admitted into Masters degree programmes.

 

Appreciating the NOUN and the Mercy Foundation for the partnership which she described as laudable and in line with global best practices for the treatment of prisoners, Nwakauche admonished inmates: “I urge you to embrace this golden opportunity with dedication and commitment.

 

“Education is a tool of liberation; through it, you can reshape your future, restore your dignity, and reintegrate into society as productive and responsible citizens.”

 

Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, Prof. Olufemi Peters represented by the DVC, Prof. Isaac Butswe, expressed joy with the success story, and pledged the continued commitment of the University to reach all qualified Nigerians with the opportunity of educational advancement.

 

The National Coordinator, NOUN Special Study Centres, Modupe Adesina, in her remarks, explained that over 2,000 inmates have been admitted on scholarship from National Open University.

 

She added: “We have graduated 207 inmates from different programmes ranging from undergraduate to postgraduate in 12 custodial centres.

 

“This centre being inaugurated today is the 15th custodial study centre approved by Prof. Femi Peters, the Vice Chancellor of NOUN.

 

House Committee Chairman on Reformatiory Institutions, Chinedu Ogah, admonished the inmates to be steadfast, key into the opportunity to realize their potentials while always realizing that being in prison does not not mean being condemned, but an opportunity to be better.

 

He noted that his foundation has been paying WAEC registration fees for inmates and assured that he would continue to support willing inmates achieve their dreams.

 

Emeka Ogazi, the representative of Mercy Foundation, Netherlands: Said they’ve been praying for the possiblity which has become a reality, and expressed gratitude to the National Open University while congratulating the inmates.

 

He added: “We pray that this study centre will be a place where people will be educated.

 

But more than that, where people will be blessed the more so that they can be truly reformed both in words and deeds.”

 

Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Amari Omaka, SAN, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Matilda Njoku, said the inauguration was a testament to the commitment of the present administration to justice, rehabilitation and human dignity, adding that it was a veritable way of facilitating the process of re-integration of the inmates into the society.

 

While appreciating the National Open University and other stakeholders involved in establishing the centre, the commissioner pledged the support of the State government through the Ministry to the centre and its students.

 

Some of the Staff, including the PRO of the Ebonyi command, Nneka Iyasei and inmates who preferred anonymity appreciated the development as a great privilege, and appreciated the facilitators.

 

Goodwill messages were also received from the state Ministry of Primary/ Secondary education, the Police, Civil Defence, Immigration, among others.

 

NOUN’s Special centres are located within the Army, the police, Immigration, Air force, Correctional service and the likes.