Tinubu Gives Directive For Recruitment Of 5000 Personnel For Nigerian Correctional Service
LAGOS JANUARY 16TH (NEWSRANGERS)-In a bold move to strengthen the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the recruitment of 5,000 personnel into the service.
The announcement came from Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche Ndidi, the Acting Comptroller General of the NCoS, during his appearance before the House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions, led by Hon. Chinedu Ogar.
Speaking at the hearing on Wednesday, Ndidi explained that although the approval for the recruitment had been granted by the president in August 2024, the process had been delayed.
The reason, he revealed, was a shortfall in funding, which had hampered the ability to meet the salary and allowance requirements for the new recruits.
However, Ndidi assured lawmakers that the recruitment would proceed, contingent on the approval from the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), with the necessary budgetary allocations now included in the 2025 fiscal year.
Committee members, particularly Mr. Victor Ogene of Anambra, expressed their concerns about the ongoing delay, emphasising the critical need for the recruitment to address the persistent overcrowding in correctional facilities across the country.
Hon. Ogene urged the NCoS to work more closely with the committee to ensure the swift implementation of the recruitment.
He said, “Some of us have been inquiring for months about whether this recruitment is happening behind closed doors, and we will not accept such an outcome. This process should be transparent and timely,” Ogene stated.
While responding, Ndidi attributed the delay to the lack of cash backing, which had prevented the service from hiring the 5,000 new personnel despite the presidential directive.
However, he reiterated that the process would begin once funding is officially confirmed.
According to him, “The budget presentation was another significant topic of discussion.”
Ndidi, who spent over an hour addressing questions from lawmakers, presented the NCoS’s proposed 2025 budget, which stands at N183.6 billion.
“This includes N127 billion earmarked for personnel costs, N45.8 billion for overheads, and N13.4 billion for capital expenditures. Notably, a staggering N38 billion is allocated for feeding the country’s 91,100 inmates, at a daily cost of N1,125 per person.”
The Acting Comptroller General also voiced concerns over a reduction in capital expenditure, which was slashed by N762 million and called for an additional N70.4 billion in funding.
He stressed that this extra allocation would be used to modernise custodial facilities, enhance security, and digitise inmate management.
“To ensure the effective running of the service, we need advanced technology in our facilities. This includes CCTV surveillance, biometric scanners, body cameras for our staff, and state-of-the-art security systems across all correctional centers,” Ndidi explained.
The NCoS’s modernisation plans also include upgrading its seven training institutions to meet modern ICT standards and purchasing new operational vehicles and arms for security personnel. The service aims to foster a safer, more efficient environment for both inmates and staff.
“With President Tinubu’s directive now in place and the necessary financial provisions in the 2025 budget, the Nigerian Correctional Service is poised for a significant transformation. Whether this overhaul will alleviate the longstanding issues of overcrowding and inadequate personnel remains to be seen, but the steps taken thus far suggest a much-needed shift in the country’s correctional system,” he stated.
GlobalSynergyKeyToSustainableDevelopment— Tinubu
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi advocated the need for global synergy in addressing sustainable development.
He said Nigeria is not averse to working with other nations to build a resilient, equitable, and sustainable world for all.
The president’s clarion call came on the second day of the 2025 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week with the theme, ‘From Climate Imperatives into Economic Prosperity: Bridging Africa with the Global Energy Future.’
According to Tinubu, no single nation can walk the road to sustainability alone, insisting that global interconnectedness demands collective action, knowledge sharing, and mutual support.
“The fight against climate change is not merely an environmental necessity but a global economic opportunity to reshape the trajectory of our continent and the global energy landscape.
“As leaders, stakeholders and citizens of our planet, we stand at a critical juncture in human history. To succeed, we must innovate, collaborate and act decisively as one global community,” he noted.
Stressing his administration’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions, Tinubu informed the audience that the Nigerian government had adopted actionable programmes in line with global expectations, bearing in mind Nigeria’s economic and political expectations.
“We have embraced a vision of sustainability that aligns with global aspirations while addressing local realities. Our efforts are anchored on three pillars: Energy Transition, Climate Resilience, and Sustainable Development. My administration recognises the importance of reducing carbon emissions and a just transition to clean and renewable energy, promoting environmental sustainability and economic growth.
“Our energy transition plans, like many nations, are aimed at diversifying energy sources and reducing dependency on fossil fuels, prioritising the transition to cleaner energy sources as a cornerstone of our national development strategy.”
The president added that Nigeria is developing infrastructure for the widespread use of Compressed Natural Gas and electric vehicles and harnessing the potential in solid minerals to support the green energy transition.
In his presentation at the summit, Tinubu said his country is also implementing climate-smart agricultural practices to enhance food security and lessen its destructive environmental impact.
He listed these to include the introduction of the National Clean Cooking Policy, which aims to promote clean energy, environmental and health benefits, and socio-economic development in the African region.
According to the president, government is working with local communities to implement solutions to mitigate the adverse consequences of the country’s environmental challenges, such as deforestation, desertification, coastal erosion, flooding, and pollution.
These challenges, he said, threaten the livelihoods of millions.
He urged partner countries to collaborate in mobilising resources to tackle these challenges and embrace innovation and technology.
“To promote a green economy in Africa, we must focus on integrating sustainable practices in all sectors of our economy. These investments are capital intensive and require international support from partner countries, including multinational organisations, development partners and individuals who share our vision of a sustainable, prosperous and equitable future”, he said.
According to the president, “Nigeria became the first country in Africa to initiate funding of green projects through Sovereign Green Bond proceeds, the third issuance of which is in progress. We urge investors to partner with us in this regard. Our administration remains committed to providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in Nigeria.
“By partnering with global leaders and harnessing the power of technology, we are finding new and innovative ways to address our environmental challenges. We have arable agricultural lands for advanced technological farming, including a bright future for Artificial Intelligence.”
He lauded the president of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, for his invitation and foresight in organising the event.
The event was organised to bring world leaders together to exchange views and perspectives on how to address the global challenges of our time collectively.
Daily Independent
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Posted by News Rangers
on Jan 16 2025. Filed under National.
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