Correctional Centre Presents SSCE Certificates To Inmates In Ekiti
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that the Medium Correctional Centre in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, recently held a ceremony to present certificates to inmates who participated in the 2024 National Examination Council (NECO) Senior Secondary Certificate Examination.
This inaugural event took place at the custodian centre in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. Inmates showcased various handcrafted items, including bags, hand fans, wallets, clothing, and soaps to guests and stakeholders.
Attendees included NECO officials, representatives from the Ministry of Women Affairs, security agencies, as well as traditional and religious leaders.
Oluremi Okuseinde, the Controller of Corrections in the state, remarked that presenting school certificates and showcasing the inmates’ handmade products exemplified the centre’s commitment to rehabilitating and reforming inmates so they can positively contribute to society after their release.
She expressed her satisfaction with the outstanding performance of the inmates in the examination and commended NECO management for approving the center’s involvement in 2022.
Okuseinde emphasised that these efforts align with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu, supported by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, fulfilling the mandate in accordance with global best practices.
She solicited the support of all stakeholders in having a study center of the National Open University of Nigeria(NOUN) in the facility, “which will enable them to further their education while and even after being released from custody.”
According to her, “Since the changes in nomenclature of Nigerian Correctional Service (Formally Nigerian Prison Service) with an inclusion of Non-Custodial Service, its role has transcended from mere Custody of inmates and pristine punitive traditions to a Correctional philosophy rooted in Educational programmes, Vocational skills and Recreational activities for a proper reformation and rehabilitation of inmates to foster cordial re-integration upon discharge.”
Speaking, the Assistant Controller of Corrections, Olutope Amele reiterated the commitment of the correctional centre in changing the narratives for the inmates by exposing them to vocational skills and education that would help them make positive impacts in society when released.
He appealed to members of the public, especially non-governmental organisations to support the inmates by supplying vocational equipment and facilities in the center that would help in their advancement.
“We are consistent with our mandate in the rehabilitation and reintegration of the inmates for them to be useful for themselves and the society and we are calling for support from the people in the area of education and vocational skills towards their advancement,” Amele said.
On her part, the Deputy Superintendent of Correctional, Esther Aremu stressed the need for the public to change their perception about inmates, noting that some of them have been equipped with relevant vocational skills and education to impact positively on the larger society upon discharge.
The representative of the Special Assistant to the President on Women Affairs, Maryam Abdullahi, commended the management of the correctional centre for the impacts on the inmates, promising to amplify the request for a NOUN center in the facility.
