Prison Officials Gather Support For Prisoners Education

The Ikoyi prisons service has said that the performance of the 28 inmates in the 2015 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), had encouraged other inmates to enroll in its school’s program.

The Deputy Controller, in-charge of Ikoyi Prisons, Mr Emmanuel Bamidele, told newsmen in Lagos that all the inmates performed above expectations.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) organised the all Computer Based Test (CBT) mode of examination.

He said that six of the 28 inmates, who wrote the examination, had already furthered their education by enrolling for the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) programmes within the prisons facility.

“I can tell you that with this development, many more inmates are showing the zeal to further their education in the facility.

“Apart from the six inmates who enrolled for the NOUN program, others, on the awaiting trial list or those who have been discharged, have gone to seek admissions into universities around the country.

“Because of this, we have already enrolled 65 other inmates who want to participate in the forthcoming November/December West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE). 

“The inmates have been participating fully in the coaching lessons in the prisons school, and they are very enthusiastic about it.

“Apparently, they have discovered that it is achievable and not a fluke, having seen what others have just done,” he said.

Bamidele, however, pleaded with the private and corporate bodies to assist the prisons school and inmates, by providing books, computer accessories and other teaching and learning materials, to enable them to prepare well.

He said that government had done well in doing the much it had done over the years, in line with its transformation agenda, especially in the area of campaign against illiteracy.

The prisons official said that the government’s support had further boosted the morale of the inmates to further their education, irrespective of the challenges.

“Now that we have more inmates showing the zeal to further their education in the facility, I want to plead with members of the public to support them through donations.

“We shall be happy to receive as many volunteer teachers in core subjects as possible, to get these inmates well prepared,’’ Bamidele said.