Nigerian Correctional Service Portal

I am most honoured and greatly delighted to welcome you to this historic ceremony of the official unveiling of new service uniforms, award of exceptional personnel, commissioning of projects and operational vehicles.

Todays’ occasion is a watershed for the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) not because it is endowed with five (5) landmark events but because the significance of these progresses made, underscore the very essence of the Service. Recall that in the year 2019 when President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, graciously signed into law the NCoS Act, 2019 that heralded a paradigm shift to a more humane and acceptable system, it was emphasized that the transition was not a mere change in nomenclature.

To this end, there was a dire need to drive this phenomenal change into the system, by providing the appropriate setting required to accommodate the ideals of the new order. As part of efforts to blend with the renewed philosophy of the Service, new Service Uniforms were proposed and were subsequently given gracious approval by our supervising Minister, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, Minister of Interior.

The role of officers and men in bringing to fruition, the lofty provisions of the NCoS Act, 2019 is critical hence, the need to have them represent the new narrative, attitudinally and also by physical appearance. The introduction of new set of uniforms is strategic, as it denotes renewed vigor and readiness to add value to the Service.

It is gratifying to note profoundly, that NCoS under the present administration has witnessed unprecedented improvement due to the kind of attention the Service has continued to receive from government. Thus, the Service has enjoyed generous increase in budgetary allocation over the last few years, enabling salient interventions, improvement and landmark achievements.

It is against this backdrop, that our special guest of honour will today commission the following:

a. forty (40) operational vehicles to enhance operational efficiency, provide speedy access to justice thereby de-congesting custodial centres;

b. a block of junior staff barracks to cater for personnel housing needs; and

c. a situation/monitoring room to provide real time situation report (sitrep) on custodial centres.

All these projects are pivotal to the actualization of NCoS core mandates therefore, there is no doubt whatsoever that the Service will experience significant progress in service-delivery.

In the same vein, twenty-five 25 officers and men who have distinguished themselves through various acts of gallantry and exceptional performance will be presented with special awards as a way of official appreciation as well as motivation for more feats.

Of particular interest is the fact that for over 20??? Years an award ceremony of this sort has not been organized. This says a lot about our commitment to excellence and the premium we place on the role of personnel in the actualization of organizational goals.

Indeed, the NCoS is highly motivated and poised to conquer more grounds, justifying all of governments’ huge investments in the Service.

I will not end this address without specifically expressing my sincere gratitude to Mr. President for giving the Service premium attention, thereby repositioning it for optimal service.

My appreciation also goes to the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, for his commitment to giving NCoS the sound leadership and support required for excellent management of offenders and administration of non-custodial measures.

I wish to also appreciate all our distinguished and honorable legislators as well as other stakeholders for the continuous support.

On our part, we shall not rest on our oars, in our resolve to deliver on our mandate and compete with our contemporaries across the globe.

Thank you for your kind attention.