The Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Correctional Service to seek synergy with relevant Government agencies, Non- Governmental Organizations and Civil Society Organizations with a view to de-radicalizing Nigerian youths roaming the streets.
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola stated this on Friday in Abuja when he paid as part of his familiarisation visit to the Nigerian Correctional service.
He urged the officers of the Service, to support the Federal Government in its efforts to ensure a safe and secured environment for Nigerians.
Ogbeni said further that he believed the officers and men of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) will be at the vanguard of championing the good intention of President Muhammadu Buhari, who he emphasised, has helped in reforming the old law of the Nigeria Prisons Service to the new Nigeria Correctional Service, in a bid to reduce recidivism among those who are being taken to the correctional centres.
“We will support you to reduce to a large extent, those who are coming under your care from going back to crime,” he stressed.
The Minister added that rehabilitation and readjustment should be the focus of the Nigeria Correctional Service in the country.
Ogbeni Aregbesola enjoined staff of the Ministry and all it agencies to ensure compliance to the SET (Security, Economy and Transparency) agenda of this administration, in order to achieve the mandate of the ministry which is security of Nigerians.
Introducing the Honourable Minister to the officers, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Barr. Georgina Ekeoma Ehuriah, MON described Ogbeni Aregbesola as a committed leader who will never give up, until he achieved results
She called on all the agencies under the Ministry to support the drive of the Minister to move the Ministry and its agencies to the next level.
Earlier in his remarks, the Controller-General, Nigeria Correctional Service, Ja’Afaru Ahmed, disclosed that the Service had over 250 centres across Nigeria with some becoming dilapidated, having been built for over a century.
He commended the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari for giving some of the centres a facelift.
‘We were neglected for years, but with President Muhammadu Buhari, we have started witnessing the upgrading of our formations across Nigeria,’ Ja’Afaru said.
In a related development, the Honourable Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, commended officers of the Federal Fire Service, for their immense contributions towards ensuring the safety of lives and properties through prevention of fire disasters.
He promised that the Federal Government will ensure the Federal Fire Service in Nigeria is moved to an enviable position among its peers, across the globe.
Earlier, the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Liman Ibrahim said he believed that the Honourable Minister would provide the needed leadership that will end the challenges confronting the agency.
SIGNED
Mohammed Manga
Director (Press & Public Relations)
For: Honourable Minister
24 the August, 2019
