The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced on Tuesday that the decongestion efforts at the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) have resulted in savings of approximately N3 billion for the Federal Government within the past year.
This announcement was made during the unveiling of the “Report on the National Assessment of the Situation of Children and Young Adults Deprived of Liberty in Nigeria” in Abuja.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo highlighted that this success stemmed from the release of over ten inmates who were unable to settle fines as low as N10,000 and N20,000. He elaborated that the daily cost of feeding an inmate amounts to N750, which equates to N22,500 monthly and over N300,000 annually.
He underscored the importance of exploring collaborative opportunities with the private sector to raise N500 million aimed at compensating and facilitating the release of qualifying inmates.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo expressed his disappointment with the present conditions of the correctional system, advocating for a fundamental shift in ideology rather than superficial reforms. He stated, “A prison is a place of incarceration, whereas a correctional center should focus on reformation, transformation, and rehabilitation.”
In addressing the issue of child incarceration, the minister called for the establishment of support systems to ensure that minor transgressions do not escalate into major obstacles.
UNICEF Country Representative, Ms. Cristian Munduate, reinforced the notion that child rights are a facet of human rights, drawing attention to the widespread issue of pre-trial detention and the limited availability of community-based diversion programs. (NAN)
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
Worried by the indefinite strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) Sokoto State University chapter, the state government has concluded that it was a politically motivated action.
Addressing newsmen at the Government House, Sokoto, the state commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Isa Muhammad Maishanu expressed concerns that the management of Sokoto State University (SSU) should rather show some degree of appreciation to the governor Ahmed Aliyu led who have intervened in most of their challanges.
According to Prof. Maishanu, SSU had suffered neglect from previous administration thus leaving the state Ivory tower in a deplorable condition without electricity, dilapidated lecture rooms, and offices which rendered the institution unpalatable.
Continuing, Prof Maishanu said, despite not giving any document regarding assets and liabilities of SSU by the immediate past governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal led government, the present administration of Ahmed Aliyu has restored cash allocation to the institution, payment of the stopped visiting lecturers salaries all in his pursuit of better education for he people of the state.
While stressing that the reasons giving for embarking on the strike by SSU ASUU which include, “Non- implementation of the 25% and 35% salary increase for both non academic and academic staff,
non payment of the check off dues, implementation of 25%-35% increase and the EAA, are issues that could be easily addressed as the governor has constituted committee to look into the complaint after it was presented, Prof. Maishanu appealed to the striking SSU ASUU to give peace a chance.
He added that the committee set up by governor Ahmed Aliyu had “obtained templates and relevant circulars and making frantic consultations with relevant agencies including the Federal Ministry of Labor and Employment on the said matter’.
The Chairman of Northern Youth Wing Christians Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Musa Misal, has denied issuing any press statement in support of Rev Yakubu Pam, the former Northern CAN chairman, stating that their allegiance is with Rev John Joseph Hayab.
Misal in a statement issued to journalists said some people wrote an earlier statement and asked him to sign, but he refused because he was present when the State Chairmen in the 19 Northern States and FCT elected Rev John Joseph Hayab as their leader.
“I was present, live and direct when the State Chairmen and Secretaries, together with Christian Stakeholders, elected Rev Joseph John Hayab as chairman, an election that has brought joy and relief to many Christians in the region,” he said.
The Northern States YOWICAN and the general public should disregard the fake statement. We are children of God who will give account before God on the day of Judgement.
“I, therefore, wish to disassociate myself from the “Northern CAN Youth Wing Stands Firm for REV Pam ” press statement and also appeal to any of my colleagues that has allowed anyone to use him to stop henceforth.
“My appeal also goes to the former leaders to stop the desperation and join the joy of the moment with Rev Hayab as our New Chairman,” he added.
EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.
According to him, their arrest follows credible intelligence linking them to fraudulent internet activities.
”Items recovered from them include seven exotic cars, laptop computers and phones.
”They have made useful statements and will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.
