FIVE Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison inmates have graduated from Nigeria’s National Open University (Noun) receiving Bachelor of Science degrees while still serving their terms at the Lagos facility.
On Friday, the five inmates received their certificates after completing various courses while serving their sentences at the prison. Adebayo Ojo got a BSc in Criminology and Security Studies, both Idong Nelson and Audu Godfrey, bagged BSc certificates in Peace and Conflict Resolution, Akolade Arowolo received a Post Graduate Diploma in Peace and Conflict Resolution while Okeke Chinonso earned a BSc in Entrepreneurship and Business Management.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony and presentation of certificates in Lagos, Professor Abdalla Adamu, the Noun vice chancellor, said over 526 inmates were studying various courses in Nigerian prisons. He said there had been an increase in the numbers of inmates enrolling in Noun degree programmes at the various study centres located in prisons nationwide.
Professor Adamu added: “There are over 526 inmates studying various courses at both under and postgraduate levels while in prison detention. I congratulate the graduating inmates and urge you to seek for higher qualifications.”
Ja’afaru Ahmed, the controller general of prisons, reiterated the commitment of the prison service to continually provide an educational platform for inmates to realise their dreams while in prison.