No fewer than three inmates of Kuje Correctional Centre have graduated from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) with degrees and diplomas in various disciplines.
The inmates were presented with their certificates at a special convocation ceremony organised by NOUN at the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja.
The graduates included Dabu Christian-Picador, who bagged Bachelor of Science Degree in Entrepreneurship and Business Management; Nurudeen Na’Allah, B.Ed Primary Education; and Jacob Olom, PGD Business Administration.
Speaking, the Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, said the event was a testimony of the opportunities available to inmates to plan their lives and come out of correctional centres as better citizens.
He said education remained a very powerful transformative tool for individuals and society, urging all inmates to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the partnership between NCoS and NOUN to acquire new certificates.
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Nababa, who was represented by the Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Ibrahim Idris, said the three inmates have upgraded themselves and would have no fear of stigmatisation wherever they will find themselves after their release.
He appreciated NOUN for supporting the reform of inmates through education, adding that since the inception of the partnership, over 200 inmates have enrolled for tertiary education from the Kuje centre.
Nababa enjoined other inmates to take advantage of the free education and other vocational skills available to them, to equip themselves with knowledge and skills for a better future.
On his part, the NOUN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, congratulated the three graduates, saying it was a testimony of their commitment and determination to change their future.
Peters, who was represented by the National Coordinator, Special Study Centres, Modupe Adesina, said in spite of their circumstances, the new educational qualifications would add value and prepare them for meaningful roles in the wider society.
The VC urged other inmates to also take up the challenge and improve and empower themselves for self-reliance.
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