Correctional service flags off cowpea farming, distributes tractors

The Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, has flagged off its 2021 cowpea farming with the distribution of 12 tractors to 10 farm centres across the country.

This is coming as the Controller General of Corrections (CGC), Haliru Nababa is marking his 100 days in the office having been decorated as the second substantive Controller General of Corrections (CGC) on the 10th May 2021.

• Family members of murdered ISIS fighters repatriated to Abuja
• PODCAST: IDP Camps: A Ticking Time Bomb

A statement by the spokesperson of the Service, Francis Enobore, on Saturday, said the NCoS 2021 cowpea farming season began on the 5th of August.

According to Enobore, the CGC did the flag-off himself, adding that the Service’s farming activities meant a lot to him.

“The tractors are for the training of inmates on mechanize farming, which is one of the core mandates of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

“This was followed with a visit to Dukpa Farm Centre in Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT.

“He expressed delight at the level of preparedness to massively improve on crop production in the farm.

“He also admonished the inmates to use the opportunity to upscale their skills in modern food production,” Enobore said.

The CGC, in his inaugural address, to command officers recently in Abuja, promised to vigorously pursue inmates’ empowerment programmes invocations and education.

The Nigerian Correctional Service has 17 mechanized farm centres spread across the country.

The vision, apart from training the inmates in modern food production, is also geared towards generating adequate and quality food to feed the inmates.

This is expected to relieve the federal government of huge sums of money currently expended in feeding inmates.

Meanwhile, the Service spokesman said the CGC had commenced a facility tour in keeping with his promise to maintain safe and secure custodial centres where the inmates will be humanely treated.

He said the CGC started his tour with the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje to assess the situation of things at the Centres.

“The CGC distributed starter packs to inmates that acquired skills while in custody.

“This gesture is expected to be replicated at the Command levels to encourage industry, discipline and exemplary character amongst the serving inmates,” Enobore added.

According to the statement, Nababa effected the promotion of 2,455 junior staff and facilitated the promotion of 3,877 senior officers through the Civil Defence, Corrections, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) immediately after he assumed office.