By; ISAAC ODEH, Kaduna
Entrepreneurship development has been described as a key requirement that would enable Correctional Officers and Men deliver effectively on their core mandate such as: reformation, rehabilitation and re-intergration of inmates back to the society.
The above assertion took centre stage during the opening ceremony of a two-week entrepreneurship Programme for Correctional Cadet Officers Organized by Magvoile Vocational Centre in collaboration with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) at the Correctional Service Training School Kaduna (CSTSK).
In a keynote address at the pilot programme, Controller General of Corrections, CGC Haliru Nababa said, the programme with the theme, “Reforming the Reformer” is targeted at building the capacity of Correctional Cadet Officers with necessary training, skills and tools needed to effectively deliver on the mandate of the service.
Represented by the Zone B Zonal Coordinator ACG. Isaac Oluwasemire, the CGC who called on the participants to be committed to the vocational training, noted that the initiative was inspired by the 21st century demand of the service, occasioned by the new Act-2019 which provided for the change of the service’s mandate from punitive to corrections.
In a speech, the Area Manager, Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Mr. Yahya Manu said that the acquired skills will not only enhance inmates’ reformation, but would be of great benefit to the trained officers in the long run.
He encouraged the participants and other personnel of the service to take advantage of the programme by devoting their time and energy to it, saying it would afford them the opportunity to start something small while in service, instead of waiting for start-up capital from government which he said, could be unproductive.
The Managing Director and CEO Magvoile Vocational Center, Ambassador Ernest Essien said at the opening ceremony that the programme became imperative following the need to support the Nigerian Correctional Service in the areas of skills development, leadership and entrepreneurship for them to be result effective, and to also contend with the new wave of Criminality that has mutated and transformed into a new dimensions of fighting the society.
He however, pointed out that, the two weeks intensive vocational training for selected Cardet Correctional Officers would cut across fashion and design, catering, industrial art, photography, leadership and mentorship among others.
The Commandant of the Correctional Service Training School Kaduna (CSTSK), CC Mohammed Isah thanked the CGC for keying into the program, and pledged to give the necessary cooperation and support toward ensuring the set goals and objective is achieved.
