Inmate graduates receive certificates in Enugu
A total of ten (10) out of fourteen (14) prison inmate graduates were presented with their certificates on Thursday,聽July聽13, 2023 at聽the Special聽Study聽Centre, Nigeria Correctional Service, Enugu, Enugu State.
The Vice-Chancellor, National聽 Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Olufemi Peters, represented by the National Coordinator for聽the聽Special Study Centres, Modupe Adesina, said the inmate graduates were part of those who graduated during the 12th聽Convocation聽Ceremony of聽聽the university聽held both online and physical on Saturday,聽March聽25, 2023 at the聽university’s聽headquarters, Jabi, Abuja.
Peters, while commending the inmate graduates for their sheer determination against all odds, stated that the NOUN’s free education runs through PhD level.
He therefore charged them to make the best use of the opportunity to聽further their education while聽behind bars聽so that at the end of their prison terms they can become useful to themselves, family and the society at large.
Similarly, the聽Controller of聽Correction聽Service, Enugu State Command, Nicholas Obiakor, represented by the Acc James Abonyi, congratulated the inmate graduates for their unwavering commitment and advised the matriculating聽ones聽to learn from the steadfastness and commitment of聽their seniors.
The聽Desk聽Officer of the centre, Kelvin Iloafonsi, took time to聽explain聽the聽centre鈥檚聽achievements, which,聽among others,聽are: increased students enrollment, the first graduate of the centre is currently writing his PhD thesis at UNN, graduation of 14 prison inmate graduates which comprises both undergraduates and postgraduates, partnership with some Non-Governmental Organisations that rendered numerous assistance to the inmate students.
He expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor for聽the聽provision of 100 sets of brand new computers and desks聽to the centre.
In the same vein,聽as part of the聽university’s 24th聽Matriculation聽Ceremony,聽fifty聽new inmate students聽from the centre聽were matriculated.
The matriculating oath was administered by Enugu Study Centre director,聽 Prof. Alexander Uche Onyia,聽who was聽represented by the聽centre鈥檚聽PAR, Mr.聽Mathew Egede.