Six inmates at the Enugu Correctional Service on
Tuesday bagged different degree certificates from the
National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the six
inmates, all male, are currently serving their jail terms
with the exception of one who had regained his
freedom.
Performing the ceremony, the Desk Officer, NOUN
Enugu Correction Centre, Mr Kelvin Iloafonsi said the
convocation was to celebrate six students of the Enugu
Study Centre who had graduated triumphantly into
various fields of study.
“Today is a special day in the history of the centre as
it marks the 4th convocation ceremony to launch
another set of enterprising, dedicated and determined
set of graduates.
“It is another landmark towards ensuring
reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of
discharged inmates into the larger society,” he said.
Iloafonsi said that Enugu study centre would be 10
years old by July and had recorded outstanding
achievements in spite of numerous challenges.
He said that 12 inmates gained admission in 2012
adding that it was extremely difficult to convince an
inmate to enroll into academic programmes.
“We visit cell to cell pleading with them to register
with us but their response is always, ‘we will go to
school when we get our freedom.’
“We never relented in encouraging them by
intensifying on our efforts to change their mind set,”
he said.
The officer said through their efforts one Adenyi
Theophilus who studied Peace and Conflict Resolution,
came out as the overall best student in nationwide
study centre of correction services.
He said he was later discharged and acquitted and
currently doing his doctorate programme with the
University of Nigeria Nsukka.
Iloafonsi commended NOUN for providing the centre
with 100 sets of computers in 2020.

“This act of magnanimity and show of unquenchable
desire towards ensuring that our students are well
reformed and rehabilitated has paid off.
“Our students can now confidently download course
materials, solve their Tutored Marked Assignment
(TMA) and engage in writing academic research
projects with ease,” he said.
He added that since inception of the programme, none
of the students had ever returned to prison as a
recidivist.
Iloafonsi appealed to individuals, government and
private organisations to assist them as their academic
auditorium had been overstretched by the current
population of the students.
“The existing hall was an old cell converted to lecture
hall and it has capacity to accomodate only 80
students while the centre has 245 students.
“There is need to declare a state of emergency on
infrastructural inadequacies at the study centre,” he
said.
Responding, the Controller of Correctional Service,
Enugu State, Mr Godwin Onokohwomomo commended
NOUN for finding it worthy to approve a centre in
Enugu Correction Service.
Onokohwomomo said the certificate would help the
inmates when they are finally reintegrated into the
society and a condition for amnesty.
“This certificate is internationally recognised and a lot
of people are struggling to acquire it.
“Therefore, I congratulate you because you have
distinguished yourselves and will make good use of it
when you finally gain your freedom,” he said.
One of the graduating inmates, Israel Godlove, said he
was excited about the degree acquired.
“It is not easy but at the end I am able to achieve my
dream even in custody; I thank God who made
everything possible.
“I am from Ebonyi state and I have spent 16 years in
custody. My first 11 years was on awaiting trial.
“I was on a death sentence and I have spent a year
and half before Gov. Umahi commuted it to life
imprisonment.
“I know that by the special grace of God, I will be set
free because here is not my home,” he said.
Another inmate, Emeka Okeke also expressed joy over
the degree certificate, saying it was the work God.
(NAN)



https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/06/6-inmates-bag-degree-certificates-in-enugu-correction-centre/

Wow..

This really lifted my spirit

Really,well education now in nigeria means nothing.

Their brain don get corectional degree. good one there from the inside wall Govenment,.