A non-governmental organisation, the Hope Behind Bars Africa (HBBA), on Wednesday inaugurated a renovated National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) study centres at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Keffi-New, Nasarawa State.

Speaking during the handover ceremony of the facilities, HBBA Executive Director, Funke Adeoye, said the project aimed at expanding educational opportunities for inmates.

Ms Adeoye, represented by the organisation’s programmes manager, Nurudeen Hassan, said the facilities would strengthen rehabilitation efforts within Nigeria’s correctional system.

She described the development as a significant milestone in the organisation’s efforts to promote access to justice, dignity and opportunities for vulnerable Nigerians, including persons in custodial centres.

According to her, the initiative forms part of the Civic Accord Project, a multi-component programme funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy and designed to address limited access to justice.

“This includes weak coordination among justice institutions and low civic participation among grassroots communities.

“Hope Behind Bars Africa is built on the conviction that every Nigerian, regardless of circumstance, deserves access to justice, dignity and the opportunity to rebuild their life.

“Today, we mark a significant milestone with the formal inauguration and handover of the newly renovated NOUN Study Centre and NABTEB Centre at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Keffi-New,” she said.

Ms Adeoye noted that within correctional settings, the organisation focused on transforming spaces of confinement into spaces of opportunity through vocational hubs, formal education and human rights-centred engagement with correctional personnel.

She said the newly renovated centres represented practical evidence that rehabilitation was both achievable and essential, noting that the objective aligned with the provisions of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act.

“The centre we inaugurated today is evidence that rehabilitation is possible. It is also a right clearly enshrined in the NCoS Act,” she added.

The executive director commended the controller of corrections, Nasarawa State command, the officer in charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Keffi-New, and other officers and personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service for their support and collaboration.

She also appreciated representatives of the criminal justice sector, the Royal Norwegian Embassy and other partners for contributing to the success of the project.

Ms Adeoye expressed confidence that the facilities would provide inmates with access to quality education and skills development, thereby improving their chances of successful reintegration into society upon release.

Addressing the inmates, she reaffirmed the organisation’s belief in their potential and urged them to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the centres.

“To the inmates who will benefit from these centres, we see you and we believe in you. This project is for you,” she said.

Ms Adeoye called on stakeholders to sustain efforts aimed at ensuring that correctional facilities across the country serve as centres for rehabilitation and personal transformation.

Ms Adeoye said the inauguration should be remembered as a step towards building a Nigeria where no one was left behind.

In his remarks, controller of corrections for the Nasarawa State command, Anthony Sanda, said education remained a critical tool for the rehabilitation, reformation and reintegration of inmates into society.

Mr Sanda commended HBBA for partnering with the service to improve educational opportunities for inmates.

“The organisation has consistently supported correctional centres across the country and has now extended its intervention to the Keffi custodial facility.

“I am delighted to witness the handing over of the renovated NOUN and NABTEB facilities here at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Keffi-New.

“I have been hearing about the organisation’s interventions, but now I have seen and touched them myself. Seeing is believing,” he said.

Mr Sanda urged beneficiaries of the facilities to take advantage of the opportunity to improve themselves and prepare for productive lives after incarceration.

Also speaking, the officer in charge of the MSCC in Keffi, Samaila Bulu, said access to education could help address inmates’ emotional and psychological challenges while in custody.

Mr Bulus noted that incarceration could be emotionally challenging for many inmates, adding that the Nigerian Correctional Service had established various programmes to support their rehabilitation and wellbeing.

“Providing inmates with the opportunity to acquire education is one avenue that will douse some of the emotional concerns they have.

“These educational platforms made available through HBBA will engage them more positively and keep their minds on the path of propriety,” he said.

The event was attended by officials of the NCoS, representatives of justice sector institutions, development partners and inmates of the custodial centre.

The event was organised by HBBA in partnership with Youth Africa Leaders Initiative Network (YALI network) with support from Royal Norwegian Embassy donating educational relief items such as textbooks, notebooks, desktops, markers, solar inverter, chairs and tables among others to the inmates. 

(NAN)