Longtong Ibrahim
Kaduna (Nigeria) – Graduating Officers of the 23rd Assistant Superintendents (ASP) Basic Course International of the Nigerian Prison Services have been charged to use the knowledge acquired from their six months training to enhance their operational competence for an effective criminal justice system in the country.
The permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Abubakar Magaji gave the charge at the Passing out Parade of 122 Prison Officers at the Prison Training College at the weekend in Kaduna.
Magaji who expressed optimism on the trained Officers said, their expectation from them is not only to have a conceptual foundation as prison officers but technical ideas that could help in addressing challenges of the prison service.
The permanent Secretary who was represented by the Ministry’s Director of Paramilitary Noah Auta urged them to be prepared for the enormous task ahead, especially in the area of guaranteeing security for the entire citizenry through ensuring the safety and rehabilitation of inmates into the society after serving their jail terms.
He therefore admonished them to adhere to professionalism and be committed while discharging their duties in the face of the security challenges experienced in some parts of the country which has led to the closure of some prison formations across the country.
He said, “The prison profession essentially demands absolute commitment, foresight, loyalty, perseverance and patriotism at all times to achieve its mandate.
“In this regards, the prison administration is striving within its available resources to ensure that structures and processes are put in place to enhance effective performance of all prison officials,” he noted.
Solomon Dalong, one of the screened Ministerial nominees in a remark commended their skills of excellence and standard maintained so far in the service.
While responding to questions from journalist on tackling jail breaks in the country peradventure he becomes the Minister of Interior, he said, having spent 25 years in the service, it is a familiar ground/setup to soar.
He said, issue of jail break can be handled when insecurity is curtail; “When you have insecurity prevalence in the country, jail break becomes the other of the day, so it is not strange unless much is done to curtail the spate of insecurity which the present government is doing enough.
“Jail break will be a thing of the past in no distance future when we have addressed our security problems. But I think there is a need for us to bring our parameter wall and the entire security system of the prisons to meet with the level of sophistication of crime,” he pointed out.
The Deputy Director General of National Prisons Services of South Sudan, Samir Khamis Suleiman in a remark also commended the Nigerian government and the Nigerian Prison Services for their support in training their officers and security aid rendered to them while in crisis. He prayed for a continuous collaboration in tackling insecurity challenges and strengthening ties.
A total of one hundred and twenty two (122) ASP officers where commissioned into the Superintendent cadre of Nigerian Prisons Services of which 10 are foreign Nationals from Republic of South Sudan. The occasion features parades and presentations of awards for academic excellence and selfless service.
