NICOWA renews commitment to boosting inmates’ welfare

< Previous

1 of 10

Next >

NICOWA President,8th right, flanked by members at their national convention yesterday in Abuja.

NICOWA members

Wives of officers and men of the Nigerian Correctional Service, (NCoS), under the auspices of the Nigeria Corrections Officers’ Wives’ Association, (NICOWA), have said that they would continue to support the service and their spouses by giving counsel, psychological outreaches and medical aid to inmates in custody.

The National President of the association and wife of the Controller General of the service, Hajiya Aisha Nababa made this known at the association’s National convention, yesterday in Abuja.

She said the choice of this year’s convention theme ‘National Security and Corrections Officers’ Wives’, was to depict the critical role wives of officers play in boosting national security, especially through the little support they provide to inmates during outreaches which in turn impacts on their wellbeing and their spouses at home.

According to her, NICOWA has come a long way in its effort to support the activities of the service, especially through the establishment of schools to promote education not just for officers’ children but also for the neighbouring communities.

“NICOWA schools over the years have become a household name within and around neighbouring communities from Lugbe, Kuje to the airport road community. It gladdens my heart to see that from a humble beginning of a student population of 26, in 2012, the school has made remarkable progress not only in population but also in the quality of learning, physical infrastructure and facilities,” Nababa said.

Highlighting key roles officers’ wives play in promoting security and inmates’ welfare, public relations expert and retired controller of corrections, Francis Enobore, noted that the provision of a safe and secure environment for all is greatly influenced by the dynamics between officers and their wives as well as unofficial support given to officers by their spouse which by extension impacts on inmates.

He said ‘Nigeria is passing through a nightmarish experience in the hands of bandits, Boko haram elements, IPOB and kidnappers which have all worsened the problems of the hitherto known armed robbers, cultists, sex offenders and among others and security institutions, unfortunately, have not been spared in the spate of violence, including custodial centers hence the need for unified efforts to boost security.”

Enobore said as a Non-Governmental Organization, (NGO), “Responding to the clarion call for integrated solutions to entrench security of lives and property in Nigeria, NICOWA has impressively displayed commitment to this noble assignment in diverse ways, and this is the nexus between NICOWA and national security.

“The most critical of the Correctional officers’ assignment is that of ensuring safe custody of those in incarceration and preparing them for a crime-free return to the society and NICOWA is strategic in enhancing the actualization of the major functions of the NCoS, which are germane to national security.”

He listed some of the critical, indirect, silent and subtle roles played by NICOWA in promoting national security including keeping a stable home front for their spouses to function optimally at work, assisting inmates with options of fines hence securing their release, providing shoulders for their husbands to lean upon in time of difficulty such the prevailing security challenges facing the country as well as being the first responders to emotional, and sometimes, financial stresses.

While advocating for the NICOWA framework that focuses specifically on women in custody, Enobore said, partnership with other related bodies such as women lawyers, will help provide succour to inmates who need such services and boost activities of the association.

“From the foregoing, it is an understatement that NICOWA plays a significant role in promoting national security, the most critical being emotional stability to their spouses for effective and efficient service delivery,” he adds.

Speaking on the empowerment of members, Deputy National Secretary of the Association, Victoria Nwakuche, said NICOWA will continue to embark on various empowerment programs such as skills acquisition among others to ensure members are financially stable and able to contribute to their families and society.

Also, Public Relations Officer, (PRO), NICOWA, Mrs Rhoda Enobore, explained that the association has made it a priority to always support one another especially those whose spouses are hurt in the line of duty and in the event of unforeseen circumstances.