23 Enugu Inmates Bag Masters, First Degrees
By Trek Africa Newspaper
• Graduates overcome challenges, complete programs within four to five years.
• Officials commend NOUN, encourage inmates to pursue knowledge for rehabilitation.
This medium reports that a remarkable achievement unfolded on Saturday, at the Enugu Custodial Centre as 23 inmates proudly received their academic credentials from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). Among them, five earned Master’s degrees, 17 obtained their first degrees, and one was awarded a Post-Graduate Diploma.
These 23 individuals, beneficiaries of NOUN’s Study Centre within the custodial facility, completed their respective programs within a span of four to five years.
The degrees and diploma were presented to the graduates during a virtual convocation organized by the State Coordinator of NOUN, Nigerian Correctional Service, Mrs. Jennifer Nwonyi, at the Enugu Custodial Centre.
She noted that the graduates had defied all odds to attain the great heights.
“I am overwhelmed with joy that God granted these students the grace to successfully complete their studies to become graduates of NOUN.
“Thank God that these graduates overcame the psychological challenge of attending to rigours of years study while being held at the custodial centre.
“I say congratulations to our graduates and wish them great advancements as we have prepared them to face and overcome future challenges when they leave the custodial centre,’’ Nwonyi said.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Sunday Oyakhire, Deputy Controller of Corrections in charge of Enugu Maximum Custodial Centre, thanked NOUN for organising the courses and for providing facilitators.
In his remarks, Mr Arinzechukwu Onovo, the correctional centre’s Desk Officer for NOUN programmes, encouraged the graduates to continue to search for knowledge, saying: “it is the key to unlock many potentials.’’
“We had a greater number of graduates of NOUN courses this year than we had last year.
“We will continue to encourage more inmates to take advantage of free educational reformation available at the correctional facility in partnership with NOUN,’’ Onovo said.
