By Nkechinyere Ewa – Okpara
The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has opened a Special Study Centre at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abakaliki, to expand access to education for inmates.
The facility, officially inaugurated on Saturday, was established through the joint efforts of the Chinedu Ogah Foundation, Mercy Foundation, and the NOUN.
Chairman of the House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, Rt. Hon. Chinedu Ogah, who represents Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency, commended stakeholders for their contributions to prison reforms and reiterated his commitment to the welfare and rehabilitation of inmates.
“The school has been equipped with modern facilities, and everything, including school fees, books, and other materials, is completely free. There’s a reason God brought you to the correctional centre. Use this opportunity to transform your life and secure a better future,” Ogah told the inmates.
Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, represented by Zonal Coordinator Lolo Prisca Oku, disclosed that 28 inmates had been admitted as pioneer students of the centre 25 for undergraduate programmes and three for master’s degrees. She commended Ogah and development partners for their support.
Also speaking, NOUN’s National Coordinator of Special Study Centres, Mrs. Modukwe Adesina, said over 2,000 inmates across the country have benefited from the programme, with more than 200 graduating while in custody.
Ogah thanked Governor Francis Nwifuru’s investment in education, noting that over 1,000 postgraduate scholarships had been awarded under his administration.
The event attracted the NOUN Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, Registrar Mrs. Martina Njoku, Ebonyi Commissioner for Education Hon. Ilang Donatus Chukwuma, senior NCoS officers, development partners, clergymen, media, security chiefs, and other dignitaries.