1,000 Inmates Registered For 2020 WAEC/NECO Examinations – FG 

The minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has disclosed that no fewer than 1,000 inmates were enrolled for the 2020 WAEC/NECO examinations, while the number of study centres of the National Open University of Nigeria have been increased to 10 across Custodial Centres.

Ogbeni Aregbesola made the disclosure on the occasion of the official commissioning of 59 newly procured operational vehicles by the Nigeria Correctional Service ( NCoS) , yesterday, in Abuja.

Disclosing that the Service has put in place additional training institutions for young offenders nationwide , Aregbesola said, since 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari has ushered in unprecedented development in the country which has impacted NCoS.

He added that the progressive changes evident at the NCoS are as a result of deliberate efforts of the administration to address the neglect of the past, with improved budgetary provisions, infrastructure upgrade, improved logistics and staff and inmates’ welfare, among others.

The minister also revealed that the service , under his supervision recruited more medical /paramedical personnel and procured adequate quantities of drugs and medications to boost the wellbeing of inmates.

According to him, “NCoS has contributed to agriculture and food production in the country by reactivating Custodial Farm Centres for large scale agricultural production in piggery, fishing, cattle rearing and poultry in different parts of the country.”

Meanwhile, the Controller General of Corrections, Ja’afaru Ahmed has put the total number of operational vehicles procured by the Service under the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration at 451.

The NCoS boss who described the commissioning of the 59 newly procured operational vehicles as a great feat said the Service has received more governmental interventions under from the present government than previous administrations in recent history.

Ahmed who named logistics and general infrastructure as areas prioritised by the President said, ” In fact, between 2016 and 2018, the Service has commissioned a total of three hundred and
ninety-seven (397) vehicles consisting of 218 vehicles with 2016 Appropriation, 49 vehicles with 2017 Appropriation and 130 vehicles with 2018 Appropriation.”

He also explained that the 59 newly acquired operational vehicles consist of thirty-six (36), Mini Green Maria Vehicles, eighteen (18) Escort Duty Vehicles and five (5) Customised Green Maria Buses.

Source: Leadership