…Commissions ICT centre, staff canteen
By Seun Adams
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has charged officers and men of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to be fiercely brutal and merciless to intruders who may want to violate custodial centres.
He said custodial centres should remain inviolable and should therefore be regarded as red zone
He charged officers and men of the Service to shun all corrupt practices because it is capable of leading to security breaches at the Custodial Centres.
Aregbesola, gave the charge at the passing out parade of cadets at the 28th Assistant Superintendent of Correctional Basic Course (Batch E) of the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, in Kaduna on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Minister, has commissioned the ministry’s Information Communication Centre (ICT) and staff Canteen for the use of staff of the Ministry.
While unveiling the facilities over the weekend in Abuja, the Minister stated that the canteen would enhance staff productivity at a reasonable cost.
He also said the ICT Centre is in line with the Federal Government’s policy of promoting and transitioning to e-governance.
He commended the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, and the Ministry’s management team for providing the facilities, adding that this would enhance the performance of the staff and engender prompt service delivery.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, who represented the Minister, acknowledged that the ICT facility would be used as a platform for training of staff on software development especially on the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
Aregebsola, added that the centre would be opened for use to all categories of staff for official assignment.
He also assured that the meal to be provided by the canteen would be decent and at reasonable cost.
According to him, the centre would be managed by an officer who would ensure proper usage and maintenance of the facilities.
Present at the occasion are, the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister, directors in the Ministry and members of staff.
On the Correctional Centre, Aregbesola, said: “I have no doubt that this basic course has actually produced the desired impact on you all for the tasks ahead.
“Be reminded that this course is just the beginning of other numerous courses you will have to undertake in subsequent years, in the course of your training and retraining.
“You must stand on the highest ethical and moral pedestal.
“Shun all forms of corrupt practices and resist the temptation to collude with inmates and outsiders to compromise the integrity of the Service in any way that could lead to inmates running criminal rings, jailbreaks and external attacks on the custodial centres.
“You have been called to serve with honour, distinction and integrity.
“I have no doubt also that in the process of your training and indoctrination, you have been taught the essence of the correctional service and its raison d’état.
“Corrections is the end point of the justice system. Criminal suspects are held in custody in the course of their trial, while convicts are kept away from society for them to be reformed and re-integrated into society as better citizens, after they have paid their dues.
“Your institution and all its custodial centres must be protected and made inviolable. The custodial centres are a red zone.” He said.
The Minister, however advised the Service to be a mother lion – gentle, friendly and fiercely protective of her cubs; but dangerous, deadly and merciless towards any unfortunate intruder to her space.
You have the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari, to use all means necessary to perform your duty successfully. the Minister directed the officers.
Aregbesola, who was the reviewing officer at the Passing Out Parade was accompanied to the event by the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Haliru Nababa, senior officers from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Fire Service (FFS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other sister security agencies in Kaduna State.