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NOUN Urges Correctional Officers To Embrace Distance Learning

Published

9 months ago

June 19, 2025

NOUN Urges Correctional Officers To Embrace Distance Learning

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has called on the personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to embrace Open and Distance Learning (ODL) as a means of personal and professional development.

The Director of Examination and Assessment, NOUN, Prof. Olugbenga Ojo, made the call during an advocacy visit to the NCoS Headquarters on Thursday in Abuja.

Ojo said that the visit was aimed at sensitising the officers and men of the Service on the numerous benefits of ODL and to encourage them to take advantage of NOUN’s programmes.

These, he said, were designed to provide flexible, affordable and accessible education for working professionals.

The don noted that NOUN had, over the years, supported the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates through its study centres within correctional facilities.

He, however, said there was also an urgent need to extend similar educational opportunities to the staff who serve as frontline agents of reformation and social correction.

He added that enhancing the academic qualifications and capacity of correctional officers would, in turn, impact the quality of their work.

He also added that it would boost efforts to reduce the rate of recidivism and the tendency of released inmates to relapse into crime.

“We are here for a special advocacy visit, not for the inmates this time, but for the staff of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

“Whoever comes to prison should return to society a better person. That is the goal. But the staff must also be empowered and trained for that transformation to be effective.

“Learning is from a craving and I want to encourage you all to try and register for a course. I can only encourage you,” he stressed.

Responding, the Controller-General of Corrections (CGC), Sylvester Nwakuche, commended the management of NOUN for its consistent collaboration with the Service.

Nwakuche described the university as a beacon of educational transformation within the criminal justice system.

He lauded NOUN’s gesture of offering tuition-free education to inmates across its special study centres in custodial centres nationwide, and welcomed the extension of such benefits to the personnel of the NCoS.

“NOUN has become a case study in correctional education.

“For an institution to step in and make education tuition-free for inmates, is something truly commendable. You have recorded real impact, and you’ve done it with excellence,” he said.

The CGC expressed readiness to deepen the existing partnership with the university and assured NOUN that the Service would not only embrace the initiative but also encourage staff participation across commands.

“We are not taking this for granted. We won’t hesitate to key into this initiative. We’ll ensure our staff understand the importance of this opportunity and make the most of it. You are always welcome here,” he said.

Speaking, the National Coordinator, Special Study Centre Unit (SSCU), Ms. Modupe Adesina, reiterated NOUN’s commitment to supporting the reform agenda of the Correctional Service.

Adesina, however, called on the officers and men of the NCoS to take ownership of their educational journey.

“We believe it is time for the personnel of the NCoS to begin to add feathers to their ranks.

“ODL gives you the liberty to work and study simultaneously. It offers flexibility. You can learn and write your exams from anywhere, even in the line of duty.

“We want the correctional staff to realise that everyone can be educated, no matter the time or age,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that over the years, NOUN has established itself as a leader in open and distance education in Nigeria, with a mandate to widen access to tertiary education.

This is especially for underserved populations including inmates, military personnel and paramilitary officers.

Thisdaylive.com

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JUST IN: Israel Breaks Silence On Netanyahu’s Death Claims; Truth Emerges

Published

1 hour ago

March 15, 2026

The Daily Voice

The office of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has cleared the air over his rumoured death.

It dismissed viral social media claims suggesting the Prime Minister had been assassinated following the escalating conflict involving Israel, the United States and Iran.

“These are fake news; the Prime Minister is fine,” the Prime Minister’s office said

DAILY POST reports that the rumours gained traction after a video shared by Netanyahu on his X account on Friday showed him addressing a press conference on the ongoing Israel-US-Iran conflict.

Some social media users, immediate after the video was posted, claimed they had spotted what appeared to be six fingers on Netanyahu’s right hand when he briefly raised it during the speech.

The speculation spread further after US conservative commentator, Candace Owens raised questions on X.

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Tears As Atiku’s Top Aide Dies, Former Vice President Releases Heartfelt Statement

Published

3 hours ago

March 15, 2026

The Daily Voice

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has announced the death of Mr. Ifeanyi Izeze, a pioneering member of his media team.

The development was announced in a statement issued by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, on Sunday.

The statement said Izeze joined Atiku’s media team in 2006, moving from the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria, ALSCON, in Ikot-Abasi, where he served as office manager.

Bringing extensive experience from both journalism and Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, he played a key role in shaping media strategies and campaign policies for Atiku, particularly in the Niger Delta region.

Trained as a geologist at the University of Port Harcourt up to postgraduate level, Izeze later transitioned into journalism, reporting extensively on the oil and gas industry for publications including Sunray, Anchor and NewAge newspapers before joining ALSCON.

Beyond his professional life, Izeze was known for his prodigious sense of humor and devout Christian faith.

He was an ordained preacher in the Christ Embassy denomination and also active in the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.

He is survived by his children, grandchildren, and his elder brother, Pastor Emeka Izeze, known for his work with The Guardian Newspapers..

The Atiku Media Office expressed condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues, praying for God’s comfort and eternal rest for his soul.

Atiku said: “A man with a prodigious sense of humour and a born-again Christian of the Christ Embassy denomination, Ifeanyi was an ordained preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.

“May God give his family, friends, and colleagues the fortitude to bear his demise.”

I mourn the loss of one of the prominent and pioneer members of my media team, Mr Ifeanyi Izeze.

Ifeanyi joined my media team in 2006, from Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), Ikot-Abasi, as Office Manager. He brought to bear on the work of the media team, at that… pic.twitter.com/XvbrDQwTFu

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) March 15, 2026

News

UK-Bound 74-Year-Old Grandpa Arrested With Illicit Drugs At Abuja Airport

Published

5 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a 74-year-old man, Ikwuakalom Emeka, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 11 kilograms of cocaine concealed in food items while travelling to the United Kingdom.

The septuagenarian was apprehended at the departure hall while attempting to board British Airways flight BA082, bound for Heathrow, London, on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

According to a statement released on Sunday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, a search of Emeka’s luggage revealed blocks of cocaine wrapped in foil papers and balloons and concealed inside food items, including ground dry pepper.

“A 74-year-old grandpa, Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, has been arrested by operatives of the NDLEA at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after a large consignment of cocaine was discovered in foil papers and balloons concealed in his luggage. The septuagenarian, who claimed he was travelling to London, United Kingdom, for vacation, was arrested at the departure hall while attempting to board British Airways flight BA082 to Heathrow on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

“During a search of his luggage, blocks of cocaine weighing 11 kilograms were discovered concealed inside food items, including ground dry pepper, carefully wrapped in foil papers and balloons,” the statement partly read.

The agency also reported a series of arrests and seizures across other parts of the country.

In Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives arrested a woman, Maryam Olalowo, at Ikad Hotel and Suites while allegedly attempting to sell 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis. She was with her three children, including an infant, at the time of the arrest.

“In Lagos, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence in the early hours of Monday, March 9, arrested Mrs. Maryam Olalowo at Ikad Hotel and Suites on Etim Inyang Street, Victoria Island, while attempting to sell 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of Canadian Loud. She was found with her three children, including an infant, at the time of the arrest. She confessed the illicit drugs belonged to her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji, who was later taken into custody the same day while his wife was immediately released.

“Ibrahim confirmed ownership of the illicit drugs in his statement, while further investigation revealed that he had previously been arrested, convicted, and sentenced to two and a half years’ imprisonment for a similar offence in 2015.”

In another Lagos Island operation, NDLEA operatives arrested two suspects, Kalilou Simpara and Saidu Ibrahim, after recovering 68,000 tramadol pills loaded in a truck allegedly meant for transport to Benin. A follow-up raid at Idumota Market led to the arrest of Nnamdi Cyprian, believed to be the owner of the consignment. Officers also recovered a parcel containing 1,000 tramadol tablets prepared for waybill delivery from his shop.

Another raid at the market resulted in the arrest of Nwanosike Kelvin and the recovery of 47,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection.

In separate operations, NDLEA officers arrested Magaji Dan Azumi, 42, with 386 kilograms of skunk in Bebeji, and Isah Wako with 282.2 kilograms of the same substance in Gwagwalada.

In Orhionmwon Local Government Area, operatives raided the Egwa Forest Reserve, arresting Chinedo Odalonu, 33, and destroying 4,218.96 kilograms of skunk on two farms, while recovering 16.5 kilograms.

At Apapa Seaport, NDLEA officers, in collaboration with customs officials, intercepted 339,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup hidden in two containers that had been watch-listed following intelligence reports.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa, commended officers in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, and Edo states for the arrests and seizures over the past week, urging them to sustain efforts aimed at reducing both the supply and demand of illicit drugs in the country.