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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
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has sentenced the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Naija News reports that Justice had earlier convicted Kanu on all seven counts levelled against him by the Federal Government.
The judge sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment for count 1, 2, 4,5, and 6.
He also sentenced Kanu to 20 years forcount 3 without option of fine.
The Judge sentenced Kanu to five years in prison on count seven without option of fine.
Justice Omotosho ruled that he should not be kept in Kuje prison. He forfeited Nnamdi Kanu’s radio transmitter and barred him from access to social media.
More are still coming
The Federal Government has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to impose the death sentence on the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, following his conviction on all seven terrorism counts.
The request was made on Thursday by the FG’s lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), shortly after Justice James Omotosho found Kanu guilty of all charges preferred against him.
Awomolo, addressing the court after the verdict, argued that the severity of Kanu’s actions merited the maximum penalty under the law.
The senior lawyer insisted that Kanu committed “many illegalities” and should not be treated with leniency.
Awomolo further reminded the court that four of the seven counts on which Kanu was convicted carry the death sentence under Nigeria’s terrorism laws.
He urged Justice Omotosho to take this into account in determining the appropriate punishment.
“It will not be considered justice that he is isolated and punished lightly in a country where we have Boko Haram, ISWAP, Lakurawa, et cetera,” he argued.
According to the prosecution, Kanu’s actions were as destabilising as those of other violent groups and should be treated with equal seriousness.
Awomolo also urged the judge to ensure that Kanu is kept in a secure correctional facility pending the court’s final pronouncement on sentencing.
He stressed the need to prevent any disruptions or security breaches involving the IPOB leader while the sentencing process is underway.
Kanu was earlier found guilty of inciting violence, ordering attacks on security personnel, calling for killings, and issuing threats capable of terrorising the public, all captured in broadcasts tendered as evidence by the prosecution.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has delivered his ruling in the case between the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and the Federal Government.
Naija News reports that the judgement was given in Nnamdi Kanu’s absence after the judge had ordered security operatives to kick him out of the court over his unruly behaviour.
Nnamdi Kanu had earlier stated that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja does not have the jurisdiction to try him.
The separatist, who has been in custody since 2021, faced seven terrorism-related charges bordering on alleged incitement, running an unlawful group, and acts threatening national security.
The IPOB leader contended that the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, under which he is being prosecuted, has been repealed.
He urged the court to strike out the charges, describing them as “disclosing no offence known to law” and therefore invalid.
Kanu also requested that the court nullify the “purported plea of not guilty” entered on his behalf, claiming it was obtained through deception and contrary to a Supreme Court ruling.
He further asked the court to set aside all subsequent proceedings and order his immediate release.
“My contention is very simple: this court lacks jurisdiction to try me,” he said.
Delivering ruling on Thursday, Justice Omotosho ruled that the court has the authority to preside over the Nnamdi Kanu case.
The judge also stated that the matter of extradition has been settled by the Supreme Court, and he ruled against Kanu in this regard.
On the issue of fairness in the hearing for Nnmadi Kanu, Omotosho ruled against the IPOB leader, stating that the court ensured he received a fair hearing.
On the defendant not entering his defence, Justice Omotosho said: “I begged the defendant passionately to enter his defence, but he remained obsolete. That shows that he chose to rest his case on the prosecution. Which is a gamble and a risky action.”
The court found Nnamdi Kanu guilty and convicted him of count 1 in the charges filed against him by the federal government.
The Judge said: “The court will rely on the uncontroverted evidence of the prosecution. This court, therefore, finds that the prosecution has discharged Count 1 beyond reasonable doubt. Consequently, the defendant (Kanu) is hereby convicted in respect of Count 1.”
More judgement is being read and this report will be updated as it comes in…….
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