The Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria, Professor Olufemi Peters, has said the university will continue to sustain the gesture of free education to inmates across the country's correctional facilities.
He stated this on Monday, June 27, 2022 in a speech delivered by his representative, Professor Isaac Sammani Rabo Bustwat, at the 11th Special Convocation Ceremony for the graduating inmates, held at the Kaduna Medium Correctional and Custodial Centre.
Two inmates: Mr. Umolu Emmanuel Onyebuchi and Alexander Okpe, bagged degrees in Information and Communication Technology and Christian Theology, respectively.
Peters enjoined the inmates to embrace the gesture of free education brought to them by the National Open University of Nigeria so as to equip themselves with the knowledge and education for the life after sentence.
The VC urged them to do all they could to get the skills as one day they may find themselves among those contesting and steering leadership positions of the society.
On the issue of enrollment, the VC tasked the inmates to make use of this opportunity to increase enrollment as that will motivate more to come to the university.
He, therefore, congratulated the two students for setting the pace and urged one who read theology to be able to preach peace while his colleague who read Information and Communication Technology to be an employer of labour.
He advised the graduates on the need to further more their education so as to compete favourably at the current employment challenges.
He commended Mr. Omolu Emmanuel Onyebuchi for designing an Inmate Records Database Management System for the Correctional Service as part of his academic requirement.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Assistant Controller General of Corrections, Mr. Umar Audu, expressed his appreciation for witnessing the historic event of presenting certificates to two graduates of the National Open University of Nigeria, Medium Security Custodial Study Centre, Kaduna.
The controller stated that the centre was established on 10th December, 2014 and since then it has graduated one student.
“Today we are witnessing the graduation ceremony of two inmates, meaning the numbers are beginning to increase,” said Audu.
He added that the National Open University of Nigeria has keyed into one of the focal point of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019.
“This is a comprehensive reformation of offenders through access to quality education and training in vocations, which includes food production,” said Audu.
The comptroller stated that they currently have six PGDE students, 14 400-level students, 25 300-level students, four 200-level, 13 100-level and nine new students awaiting registration.
As part of his academic requirements and as a way of giving back to his immediate community, Mr. Ouebuchi has designed an Inmates Records Database Management System for the Correctional Service.
According to him, this will reduce the administrative procedures of the institution and provide a platform for a better functionality and synergy with other Custodial Centres and government agencies.
He gave the assurance that when the database Management system is fully implemented, it will enhance the quality of job delivery and also promote the standard of the Nigerian Correctional Services.
Mr. Emmanuel, later, demonstrated the designed Inmates Record Database for the Correctional Services.
He, on behalf of his graduating colleague, thanked the National Open University of Nigeria and the Nigerian Correctional Services for the great opportunity given to them to be reformed.
The Director Kaduna Study Centre, Mr. Yusuf Abdullahi, Director, Centre for Human Resource Development and other senior members of the university from the headquarters and Kaduna centres were present at the event.
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