The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Enugu State Command, has revealed that it registered 1,137 inmates for the National Examination Council of Nigeria (NECO) external exams over the past 12 years. Mr. Nicholas Obiako, the Controller of Corrections in Enugu State, provided this information, highlighting the commitment of the custodial centers in the state to educational pursuits and the formation of inmates.

While speaking to journalist, Controller Obiako stated that 124 inmates were currently taking the ongoing NECO external examination at the Special Study Centre within the Enugu Custodial Centre. He emphasized the dedication of the custodial centers in Enugu, Nsukka, and Oji River to providing educational opportunities for inmates.

Controller Obiako praised the inmates’ performance, noting that they consistently achieved excellent results due to investments in education from primary and secondary school classes, as well as quality adult education classes within the centers. He highlighted the inmates’ options after obtaining their educational qualifications, stating, “For those that cannot continue, they will be enrolled into various vocational centers – tailoring, leather, iron, woodworks, etc – and they will be groomed to pass a trade test examination for certification before graduating from the vocational training.”

The Controller also commended the Controller-General of Corrections, Mr. Haliru Nababa, for prioritizing education as a vital tool for the reformation, re-orientation, and reintegration of inmates into society. He emphasized the commitment of the Nigeria Correctional Service under Nababa’s leadership to ensure that inmates develop themselves during their custody, promoting self-reliance and public protection even after their release.

Mr. Kelvin Iloafonsi, a Deputy Controller of Corrections in charge of Operations and the Desk Officer of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), highlighted that the pursuit of education and obtaining certificates while serving had contributed to zero recidivism among former inmates who studied within the custodial centers. He praised the Controller-General for creating an enabling environment for inmates to study and improve their academic proficiency.

Iloafonsi also acknowledged the support of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as Catholic Prisoners’ Interest Organization (CAPIO) and others in assisting with the education of inmates. He called for more NGOs to come forward and partner with the correctional service to empower inmates and contribute to their responsible reintegration into society.

The management of Osun State University has issued a cautionary alert to individuals seeking employment, urging them to beware of a fraudulent viral advertisement circulating on social media, supposedly announcing academic and non-academic staff vacancies within the University.

In an official statement released by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, it was emphasized that authentic job advertisements from Osun State University are exclusively placed in national dailies, not on social media platforms.

The statement reads, “The attention of the management of Osun State University has been drawn to the message circulating on various social media platforms that the university is embarking on massive job recruitment into academic and non-academic positions.

“We hereby state categorically that the University is not currently recruiting, and the general public should disregard and ignore the advertisement as it is likely to be an old advertisement.

“The fraudulent advertisement is just another means to defraud the unsuspecting public.

“Furthermore, it deduces that whoever brings such an old advertisement back to circulation has a motive of misleading and misinforming the public for his or her selfish benefits and interest.

“To this end, the management of Osun State University wishes to reiterate that there is currently no massive recruitment into the University.

“The advertisement is fake in its entirety and should be ignored by the general public,” Adesoji emphasized.

Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), has urged Nigerians to rally behind the government at all levels to enhance the development of the country’s basic education. Speaking during a meeting focused on fostering collaboration with the organized private sector and other stakeholders in the implementation of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) program, held yesterday in Abuja, Bobboyi emphasized that education for all is a collective responsibility. He underscored the critical consequences a country might face if it neglects its foundational education levels.

Bobboyi stressed the need for stakeholders to recognize the significance of prioritizing basic education to ensure a brighter future for young children. Despite substantial resources allocated by the federal government to the sector, he acknowledged that certain challenges persist. The meeting aimed to create avenues for the private sector to understand the ongoing initiatives and challenges within the basic education sector.

Highlighting the substantial investment by the federal government, Bobboyi emphasized that running the system requires collaborative efforts, as Nigeria has over 45 million children in the public basic educational sub-sector. He noted the difficulty in achieving desired standards unless teachers are well-compensated and highlighted a reduction in the number of teachers since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bobboyi outlined the future trajectory, emphasizing the role of smart schools. He welcomed the support of the private sector in building a future based on technology to adequately prepare children for the challenges ahead. The meeting also acknowledged the support of KOICA in UBEC’s journey, emphasizing the crucial need for private sector involvement in the pursuit of educational advancement.”