Prison inmate bags second class upper degree from NOUN

A prison inmate, Theophilus Adeniyi, has received a second class upper degree in peace studies and conflict resolution from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

Adenyi, an awaiting trial inmate and pioneer student of NOUN at its Enugu Prison study centre, was on Tuesday presented the certificate by the Controller-General of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), Dr Peter Ekpendu, at the first convocation of the centre.

Ekpendu commended Adeniyi for making the NPS proud and promised to continue to encourage inmates to reach their potentials in whatever trade they chose.

``I heard a number of you registered for Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination. We shall do our best to ensure that you are comfortable to the best of our ability,” he said.

He said the intensity of academic activities by the inmates was a clear testimony that the future of the country was bright.

Ekpendu said that the healthy condition of the inmates was an indication that the authorities were actualising their mandate, which was to keep prisoners safe, sound and in good condition.

In a citation, the Deputy Controller of Prisons, Enugu State Command, Mr Felix Lawrence, said that the graduand made a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.36.

Lawrence said that Adeniyi was a final year political science student at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) when he was arrested and charged to court over a communal crisis.

The Coordinator of the study centre, Prof. Ladan Babankodong, extolled Adeniyi's virtues, saying that he was a shining example.

In a remark, the graduate said that he was elated to have completed his university education in spite of obvious challenges.

``I promise that I shall at all times uphold the legacies of NOUN and also be a good ambassador.

``Just few months to my final degree examination in ESUT, I was set up and roped into the matter that I am currently facing trial for, but today I thank God I am a graduate,” Adeniyi said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adeniyi, who was one of the 54 students in the centre, bagged three awards from NOUN, including N50,000 cash award as the best student.