The Nigeria Correctional Service, Enugu State Command said it has registered 1,137 inmates for the National Examination Council of Nigeria external exams in the last 12 years.

The Controller of Corrections in Enugu State, Nicholas Obiako, disclosed this on Wednesday in Enugu State.

The controller said that 124 inmates were taking the ongoing NECO external examination at the special study centre within Enugu custodial centre.

Mr Obiako noted that the three custodial centres in the state, comprising Enugu, Nsukka and Oji River, had been doing well in supporting the educational pursuit and formation of inmates.

According to him, there are currently 124 inmates taking the NECO examination, which is one of the highest among inmates in custodial centres in any state in the county.

“For over many years now, our inmates have come out with excellent results as we invest heavily on grooming them right from the primary and secondary school classes and quality adult education class in the centres.

“Most of those who will make their result in their chosen field of study will seek direct admission to the university through the National Open University of Nigeria that has a study centre in Enugu custodial centre.

“For those who cannot continue, they will be enrolled into various vocational centres – tailoring, leather, iron, wood works etc – and they will be groomed to pass a trade test examination for certification before graduating from the vocational training,” he said.

Mr Obiako also lauded the Controller-General of Corrections, Mr Haliru Nababa, for his administration’s focus on education as a viable tool for reformation, re-orientation and reintegration of the inmates back to society.

“The Nigeria Correctional Service under Nababa’s watch has committed available resources to ensure that inmates develop themselves while in custody, to ensure self-reliance and public protection even after their stay in the custodial centre,” he added.

A Deputy Controller of Corrections in-charge of Operations, Kelvin Iloafonsi, said that the education pursuit and obtaining of certificates while serving had led to the zero recidivism among former inmates that schooled within the custodial centres.

Mr Iloafonsi said that the zero recidivism recorded was the brain-child of the Controller-General of Corrections, Mr Nababa, to ensure pragmatic reformation solutions.

“I must commend our hard working and resourceful C-G of Corrections, that has created the enabling environment for inmates to study and also improve on their academic proficiency.

Mr Iloafonsi, who is also the Desk Officer of National Open University of Nigeria, said that some NGOs such as Catholic Prisoners’ Interest Organisation and others assisted in the education of the inmates.

“They have been an immense help to us since the inception of educational reforms and in fact the ongoing 2023 NECO exams; CAPIO registered about 90 per cent of the 124 inmates taking the exam and other public spirited individuals took care of the rest.

“We are asking for more NGOs to come to the aid of the inmates and partner with us to help teach them how to fish and become responsible when they are released,” he said.

(NAN)