649 Inmates Undergoing Degree, PG Programmes – FG

The Federal Government said there are at present 649 inmates undergoing degree and postgraduate programmes in the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS).

This was made known by the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Tuesday in Abuja, while commissioning 59 operational vehicles of the NCS.

Aregbesola said about 1,000 inmates have also enrolled for the forthcoming West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO).

He said the federal government has a deliberate policy of turning the custodial facilities into “enterprise centres”, adding that the NCS has contributed to agriculture and food production in the country.

“We reactivated Custodial Farm Centres for large scale agricultural production in piggery, fishing, cattle rearing and poultry in different parts of the country,” he said.

“Three Custodial Farm Centres have been selected for large scale farming based on comparative advantage. They are Kujama Farm in Kaduna State for maize; Lakushi Farm in Plateau State for rice and Ozalla Farm in Edo State for palm oil.

“We have also procured 25 new tractors, combined harvesters, and relevant implements to enhance agricultural productivity in custodial farm centres.”

The minister further revealed that the government has created and equipped vocational workshops for trades such as welding, weaving, masonry, furniture, farming, tailoring, barbing, and bakery in Custodial Centres.

“We have started Graduate Degree programmes in the Nigerian Correctional Service (currently, about 649 inmates are running various degree and postgraduate degree programmes in the facilities,” he said.

“About 1,000 inmates have also been enrolled for the WAEC/NECO Examinations. There are adult literacy classes in several Custodial Centres while we put in place additional training institutions for young offenders (male and female) in each State of the Federation.

“We have also begun the implementation of Correctional Service rehabilitation plan and collaboration with relevant agencies to decongest the Nigerian Custodial Centres. When we started the programme two months ago, over 2,600 inmates were released from custody. This number has since increased to 3,955 as the process is on-going and progressively, more inmates will exit our Custodial Centres.

“May I, therefore, charge the officers of the Service to judiciously use and maintain the vehicles for optimum performance, particularly in light of the prevailing economic challenges facing the country as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”