Inmates at Umuahia Custodial Centre Triumph with NOUN Degrees

In a remarkable demonstration of the rehabilitative power of education, six inmates from the Umuahia Custodial Centre of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) have successfully graduated from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). Notably, five of these individuals achieved Second Class Upper Division honours, showcasing their academic prowess despite their current circumstances. This achievement was announced on Monday in Umuahia by Sarafina Nwokonnta, the Chief Operations Officer of Vision Africa Radio, during an engagement with the Abia State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Vision Africa, an organization committed to social change, played a pivotal role in this educational journey. According to Nwokonnta, the group not only funded these inmates to write their West African Examinations Council (WAEC) O-level papers but also supported their university studies. This initiative underscores the organization’s belief in the transformative potential of education. “We have six graduates today, and out of the six, five came out with Second Class Upper Division, and they are happy about it,” Nwokonnta shared, highlighting the joy and pride this accomplishment brought to the graduates.

The emphasis on education within the correctional facility aligns with broader goals of reform and reintegration. Nwokonnta stressed that providing education to these inmates is not merely about academic achievement but about preparing them to be better citizens post-incarceration. The initiative aims to lay a strong foundation for their reintegration into society, offering them a chance to contribute positively once they have served their sentences.

However, the celebration of these educational achievements was juxtaposed with a sobering discussion on societal issues. Bishop Sunday Onuoha, who is both the Methodist Bishop and President of Vision Africa, expressed deep concern over the growing trend of deaths due to stampedes, which he attributed to hunger and injustice in Nigeria. He highlighted the urgency of addressing the root causes of poverty and unemployment, warning that continued neglect could provoke extreme societal reactions. Onuoha’s comments serve as a poignant reminder of the broader societal context in which these educational successes occur, emphasizing the need for comprehensive reforms that extend beyond the walls of correctional facilities.