Enugu — The Enugu State First Lady, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah, has commended the Correctional Service Training School, Enugu (CSTS), for equipping and certifying correctional personnel with skills required for safe, secure and humane custody.
Mbah gave the commendation on Thursday during a novelty football match and cultural display organised at CSTS in honour of Monsignor Prof. Obiora Ike, President and Founder of the Catholic Institute for Development, Justice and Peace (CIDJAP).
Represented by the Enugu State Chairperson of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Rita Edeh, Mbah commended the school for its continued efforts towards the reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates.
“Your work requires commitment, discipline and compassion, and I appreciate the Controller-General of NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, and the Commandant, Controller of Corrections Miriam Mere, for their faithful service to our state and nation,” she said.
Mbah said the greatest victory in sports was not necessarily the scoreline, but the friendships strengthened, bonds created and spirit of togetherness demonstrated.
“To our cultural performers, thank you for giving us the opportunity to appreciate the beauty and richness of our heritage.
“To our celebrant, Monsignor Prof. Obiora Ike, I congratulate you warmly. May this celebration be a reminder of the goodwill you have inspired among people, and may you continue to enjoy strength, wisdom, fulfilment, and God’s abundance,” she said.
The novelty match between the CSTS staff team and the 12th DSC Development Course Participants ended in a goalless draw.
The Commandant of CSTS, Controller of Corrections Miriam Mere, said the event was organised to honour Ike for his contributions to social justice, human dignity and institutional transformation.
“For over four decades, through the CIDJAP, your unyielding commitment to inmate welfare, free legal aid, and restorative justice has reshaped correctional administration across Nigeria,” Mere said.
She said Ike’s intellectual and structural interventions had also strengthened the training school and enabled it to better fulfil its mandate of producing disciplined and professionally competent correctional officers.
Mere said the cultural displays by course participants reflected the diversity of officers drawn from more than 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory, united under one national command.
She commended the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) for renewed investments in the school and Mbah for supporting security agencies in the state.
Responding, Ike thanked the NCoS Controller-General and Mere for the honour and the “VIP welcome to the Correctional Service Training School and hosting the event in his honour.”
He commended the Controller-General for investments in the school, prudent use of resources and the neatness of the facility.
“As an individual and also through CIDJAP, I will continue to support NCoS facilities in any possible way we can and through that uplift humanity.
“Whether someone is sentenced or not; first, we must acknowledge that he is a human being and must be accorded all rights and privileges of the human person and treated fairly,” Ike said.
Ike also invited the school to the 40th anniversary of CIDJAP and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the institution.
As part of the support, he donated four water storage tanks to assist the commandant’s ongoing water rehabilitation and reticulation project, as well as a token to the players, promising to explore other means of supporting the school.
Highlights of the event included Ike’s inspection of the guard of honour, presentation of an appreciation plaque to him for his contributions to social justice, and an award to the General Manager of Rangers International FC Enugu, Mr Amobi Ezeaku, for his partnership in advancing inmate rehabilitation and staff development through sports.
The event also featured cultural dances by course participants, showcasing different ethnic groups and reinforcing the physical readiness, mental resilience and operational cohesion of CSTS personnel.
Those in attendance included the Zonal Coordinator, Zone M, NCoS, Assistant Controller-General of Corrections P.C. Oku; Senior Special Assistant to the First Lady on Special Duties, Mrs Chidimma Egeonu, Esq.; and Officer-in-Charge, Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Enugu, Deputy Controller of Corrections Dr S.A. Igwe.
Others were Deputy Director, CIDJAP, Rev. Fr. Chidiebere Ani; Secretary, Rangers International FC, Mr Alex Egbo, Esq.; Legal Adviser, Rangers International FC, Dr Nnenna Nwomeh; Legal Adviser, CIDJAP, Mrs P.C. Egbuna, Esq.; and Officer-in-Charge, CIDJAP Prison Welfare, Mrs Kelechi Agu.
