Akwa Ibom Correctional Centres to get facelift -Governor Emmanuel
Governor Udom Emmanuel has pledged to give a facelift to various Correctional Centres in Akwa Ibom State for the good of Akwa Ibomites in particular and Nigerians in general.
The governor made the pledge when the Assistant Controller-General (ACG) of Nigerian Correctional Service, in-charge of zone ‘E,’ Owerri, Chuks Chiabua, in company of the leadership of Akwa Ibom Correctional Centres, visited him at Government House, Uyo, on Thursday.
Represented, by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, Governor Emmanuel said his administration is very keen on changing young people for the better, adding that “Ibom 3000 Project” aimed at preparing the youth for the over 1000 jobs that would be created from the expected industrialisation boom in the state and other lofty programmes of his administration, are geared towards assisting the youth to be self-reliance.
He expressed delight at the good works being done in the state by the Akwa Ibom Correctional Centres, particularly training of inmates to acquire skills on any job of their interest while serving their jail term, which according to him is for the good of the society.
The governor attributed the increasing rise of inmates in the Akwa Ibom Correctional Centres to lack of mentorship, counseling and guidance of young ones by adults and charged officers of the service to do more in this regard as most inmates can be changed and converted for the betterment of the society.
He lauded the federal government for considering it wise to change the Nigerian Prisons Service to Nigerian Correctional Service that:
A statement from the Press Unit, SSG’s Office quoted the governor as saying that;
“Let me observe the fact that the change of the name from Nigerian Prison to Correctional Service is very appealing to me because there is one statement that the Catholic Church says-Juvenile delinquency is borne out of adults delinquency and I agree to that totally.The change of name connotes the fact that no one is beyond the capacity to change for the better.
“Again, there is another thing in theology that says if God had ruled out the capacity of man to repent,Jesus would not have come.The Lord Jesus wouldn’t have come if man’s stubbornness was cast in granite.If man was unchangeable and can’t repent, Jesus wouldn’t have come.So that change of name makes a lot of sense to me morally speaking and I must commend you for what you’ve been doing in Akwa Ibom State. We really appreciate it,”the governor stated.
Earlier, the Assistant Controller-General(ACG), Nigerian Correctional Service, Zone ‘E’ Owerri, Chuks Chiabua told the governor that he was on familiarisation visit of states in the zone to ascertain and report back to the National Headquarters, Abuja for necessary actions, the state of correctional facilities in the zone, which according to him, comprises Abia, Akwa Ibom,Bayelsa, Cross River,Imo and Rivers State Commands.
The ACG said the Nigerian Correctional Service was working round the clock to ensure that a robust penal system is in place, describing a good and functional criminal justice system as the bedrock of development in any society.
Chiabua decried that out of the four major correctional centres in the state, which situates in Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, Eket and Ikot Abasi, three are congested, adding that the negative effects of congestion in the rehabilitation process can never be overemphasized.
“Your Excellency, there is need for a concerted effort towards reformation and rehabilitation of offenders.Proper reintegration of offenders back to the society is also key in having a safer society,” Chiabua stated.
He commended governor Emmanuel on the strides recorded in terms of infrastructure,commerce and social reorientation, noting that it takes a leader who is focused and people oriented to achieve the ‘giant strides.’
The ACG was accompanied during the visit by the Controller of Correctional Service, Akwa Ibom State Command, Mr Akinlola Orisabinone and other senior officers of the zone.
