By Lola Idahosa, Kaduna
As part of activities marking this year’s press week, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna state council, on Thursday secured the release of 10 inmates from Kaduna Convict Prison.
The lucky inmates, including a 65 years old man, were serving jail terms for their involvement in minor offenses such as theft, cheating and night crawling.
Speaking during the release of the prisoners, the Chairman of NUJ Kaduna State Council, Comrade Yusuf Idris said it is the tradition of the Council in line with the celebration of its Press Week to always secure the release of prisoners who are either minor or aged but with offenses that are bailable and their release will not be a threat to the society.
Comrade Yusuf said the exercise was made possible with the assistance of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), who footed the sum of N89,000 fines.
“It is in our tradition to always secure the release of prisoners and this year, NOUN under the able leadership of Prof. Vincent Tenebe agreed to pay the fines for the inmates, while the Council goes about to perfect the release. Every financial commitment was settled by NOUN,” he said.
In his own response, the Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Vincent Tenebe said the occasion is very special to its institution because NOUN is the only University set up by the Federal Government to take education beyond borders and also to the door steps of all Nigerians and into the Prisons and that is why we have study centres all over the country for special formations like the military and para-military and we have study centers even for the inmates.
“It’s on record that we have already graduated some students who were inmates especially during our last convocation where we graduated students from the Kirikiri Prison.
“We also know that the main reason for setting up prisons is to bring about reformation. It is a reformation centre where people who have erred are reformed that they become better citizens. I have witness today inside the Kaduna Convict Prison that this is a well organized place and I commend the activities of the officers and men that are managing this prison.
“When you go into the Prison you will agree with me, NOUN is ready and well able to partner with the Nigerian Prisons and that is why we have a special study centre for the Nigerian Prison for the officers, men and their families and also especially for the inmates.
“I’m very happy that the NUJ Kaduna State Council is doing very well by providing corporate social responsibility by taking care of its immediate community and coming here annually to see how to help with the welfare of prisoners,” he said.
…Bajoga Commends INEC For Distributing PVC In Kaduna State
By Lola Idahosa, Kaduna
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has been commended for the smooth and successful distribution of the permanent voters’ cards in Kaduna State despite challenges that almost hindered the exercise.
Kaduna state deputy governor, Amb. Nuhu Audu Bajoga gave the commendation Thursday shortly after he collected his PVC at his polling unit in Jaba local government area.
He said despite some hitches at the beginning of the exercise, INEC kept its promise of ensuring voters obtained their PVC within the time stipulated and called on the electorates to use the card appropriately during the 2015 general elections.
Bajoga cautioned eligible voters not to misplace the PVC before the election period, saying it is the only instrument that they can deploy to elect good leaders that would represent them adequately.
The deputy governor further advised those who could not obtain their permanent voters’ cards at their polling units to visit INEC offices at the local governments to collects theirs.
According to him,” I commend INEC for keeping to their promise to distribute the permanent voters’ cards effectively thus overcoming the little challenges they faced at the beginning of the exercise. But I must encourage the voters too, who responded positively by visiting their polling units to obtain these cards because the cards are no doubt essential for the 2015 general elections. Those who missed out should visit INEC offices to collects theirs” .
