- Federal Government mandated Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to enhance rehabilitation efforts and human rights protection
- Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo explained the importance of maintaining the integrity of correctional institutions
- Dr Magdalene Ajani called for collective efforts to ensure that every Nigerian feels safe, protected, and empowered
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has been instructed by the Federal Government to focus on rehabilitating inmates, implementing reform, and upholding human rights in its activities.
This was disclosed by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, during the opening of a two-day retreat for signing performance contracts in Abuja on Monday, October 28.
Minister conveys directive to paramilitary agencies on development
The Minister conveyed the directive to the heads of paramilitary agencies under the Interior Ministry stating “As I always say, I will never defend you when it comes to issues of reputation and management or matters of correctional institution development,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
Speaking further, the Minister added, “However, as a minister, we will take responsibility and strive to be better. That’s what is important.”
The event, which was titled “United Front for a Secure Nation and Future,” brought together significant agencies within the Ministry, including the NCoS, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Civil Defence Correctional Fire and Immigration Board, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Federal Fire Service, and the National Identity Management Commission.
Tunji-Ojo calls for transformation of prisons into rehabilitation centres
In response to recent reports of abuse in certain custodial centres, Tunji-Ojo stressed the need to maintain the integrity of correctional institutions.
The Minister pointed out the important contribution of correctional centres to national security, stressing that they should serve as places of hope and transformation.
“The Nigerian Correctional Service should be a place where hopes are renewed, not a place where hopes are truncated. You must transform from mere prisons to genuine correctional centres—a place of rehabilitation and transformation. That is key,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
The minister reminded the management of the correctional service of their responsibility to uphold inmates' rights and to treat detainees with dignity in matters of human rights.
Tunji-Ojo called on all paramilitary agencies under the ministry to deepen their dedication to their mandates, emphasising that each agency is crucial for national security and the safeguarding of lives and property.
Dr Magdalene Ajani, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, noted that the retreat goes beyond being a formality; it serves as a vital moment to reaffirm a unified commitment to the Ministry's mission.
Ajani further clarified that the contracts signed at the retreat would provide a strategic framework for achieving significant impacts on national security.
“As we affix our signatures, let it symbolise our dedication—a pledge to hold ourselves accountable, foster inter-agency synergy, and maximise each agency’s impact. Through these agreements, we are not just signing our names; we are committing to tangible results,” Ajani said.
Ajani expressed that the meeting was intended to foster a covenant of accountability and a pledge to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.
“Together, we are tasked with fostering an environment where every Nigerian can feel safe, protected, and empowered,” Ajani stated.
FG issues 60-day deadline for titled property owners to settle outstanding payments or lose C of O
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Federal Government had imposed a 60-day deadline for owners of titled properties across the nation to settle any unpaid ground rent and statutory charges, or risk losing their Certificates of Occupancy (C of O).
Architect Musa Dangiwa, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, emphasised the critical role of these funds in national development.