Correctional service registers 53 inmates for SSCE

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has completed the registration of 53 inmates of both the Kuje and Suleja custodial centres for the November/December West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) Senior School Examination (SSCE) for external candidates. 

Completing the online registration for some of the inmates at the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, yesterday, FCT Controller of Corrections, Ahmed Ahmed, said he was hopeful the selected candidates would excel.

In a communiqué signed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the command, Humphrey Chukwuedo, Ahmed noted that “the centre is known for producing candidates with excellent results.”

Urging all registered inmates to shun all forms of examination malpractice, the controller encouraged them to make themselves available for the ongoing intensive preparation classes in order to make good grades, saying it was imperative to their smooth reintegration after serving their terms of imprisonment.

“Look beyond incarceration and see the hope that education brings, and not let the efforts of the Service be in vain,” he said.

Officer-in-charge of Kuje Custodial Centre, Deputy Controller of Corrections, Shehu Ibrahim, appreciated non-governmental organisations “that volunteered their resources and time towards making the registration a success.” 

Ibrahim, however, noted the high examination fee burden on the Service and called on the examinations body, WAEC, to give a special fee waiver to the NCoS by making the registration of inmates free of charge as a way of ensuring a more productive force and positive contribution to society by ex-convicts who have served out their prison terms.

He further called on the Federal Government to assist in making both WAEC and NECO examinations free for inmates just like the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has done.

This, he said, would pave way for more inmates to be enrolled for the examinations.

According to the communique, one of the registered inmates, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, expressed the appreciation and readiness of those registered by the service to do their best in the examinations.

He said the effort of the service with support from faith-based organisations toward improving inmates’ education would be well reciprocated.

He promised, on behalf of others, to do their best, saying their target was to gain admission to study various courses at the NOUN.