NOUN seeks support for inmates to access free education

The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) Special Study Centre of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has urged various levels of governments to support the free education policy of NOUN for prisoners.

The Director of the Special Study Centre, Mr Francis Enobore, made the call in a statement by its Public Relation’s Officer, Mr Abubakar Umar, on Tuesday in Abuja in Abuja.

He paid a courtesy visit to the NCoS Controller-General, Mr Haliru Nababa.
Enobore said that the centre was also calling on well-meaning Nigerians for support to enhance sustainable reintegration of inmates when discharged.

He said that the objective of NOUN was to take quality education to the doorstep of every Nigerian, to learn at his or her own convenience and pace.

According to him, this is critical to upscaling the much-needed human capacity development for societal growth.

He said that NOUN considered the peculiar circumstances of persons behind bars and the limitations in accessing social services.

“Hence, the university graciously granted free tuition to inmates to enable them benefit from the unique learning opportunity provided by the institution.

“NOUN programme runs on e-education system. Therefore, provision of computers, reliable sources of power, access to internet and other sundry requirements are critical in facilitating learning.

“Note that the character of an ex-convict is more often than not, a reflection of the quality and relevance of the training and reformation package received while in incarceration,” he stated.

The director pointed out that out of the 28,740 students that graduated recently from the university, 65 were inmates, including seven with postgraduate degrees.

The Director Examinations and Assessment, NOUN, Prof. Olugbenga Ojo, commended Nababa for providing conducive atmosphere for quality education for staff and inmates to thrive in the Nigerian Correctional Service.

Responding, Nababa congratulated Enobore on his appointment and urged him to maintain his track record of dedication to duty and drive for excellence.

He thanked the university authorities for the free tuition programme for inmates, which he said, brought hope to indigent prisoners.

The controller-general said that the scheme had provided a rare opportunity for productive engagement of inmates in activities that guaranteed socio-economic inclusiveness on discharge.

He said that his administration was committed to providing credible platforms that would support comprehensive reformation and rehabilitation of offenders in his custody hence, the robust attention given to education for inmates.

Our correspondent reports that since inception in 2012, NOUN special duty centres have produced 74 inmates graduates in various fields, including master degree holders while five are presently undergoing doctorate programmes.

Presently, the service has a total of 12 study centres with 1,410 students inmates undergoing different courses.