R-L: Assistant Controller General (ACG) of Corrections, Mrs Prisca Oku (1st r), and other officials of the NCoS during the visit
By Tony Adibe
The new Assistant Controller General (ACG) of Corrections, Mrs Prisca Oku, visited the 93-year-old dysfunctional Borstal Training Institution, Ngwo near Enugu, and appealed to governments and philanthropists to assist in rehabilitating the institution.
The ongoing renovated Borstal Training Institution, Ngwo, which is the only borstal facility in Nigeria’s South-East and South-South regions, was established in 1932 by the colonists and was fully functional till the Nigeria-Biafra War erupted in 1966.
NewsBits recalls that the Ministry of Interior and NCoS headquarters had directed NCoS Custodial Centres nationwide to ensure that courts stop sending juveniles, those below 18 years old, to custodial centres nationwide.
Oku, who is the Zonal Coordinator in charge of Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Zone M, Enugu, told newsmen on Wednesday that the NCoS was working to ensure that the institution comes alive before the end of 2025.
She said that two classrooms, offices, a hostel and a kitchen are on the ground, while a philanthropist did electrification and donated 10 solar streetlights, water tankers, a complete kitchenware, a gas cylinder and an oven among others to the institution.
According to the ACG, the NCoS had already deployed staff for its initial take-off, which included the Principal of the Institution, a Controller of Corrections, about 25 NCoS correctional staff and 16 NCoS armed squad officers.
Oku, who is in charge of NCoS Commands in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States, said, “We all have seen what is on the ground and the gaps left.
“NCoS urges state governments in the South-East, especially Enugu State, NGOs, faith-based organisations, foundations, corporate bodies and philanthropists to assist us in getting the place functional.
When this place starts to function, children here will be engaged in educational, vocational training and other standard procedures, including after-care and follow-up care as enshrined in the NCoS Act would be carried out in this institution.
“As it is, both the borstal homes in Abeokuta (South-West), Ilorin (North Central) and Kaduna (North West) are running, but the oldest one in Enugu (for South-East and South-South) is dysfunctional.”
However, an Assistant Controller of Corrections (ACC) in the institution, Mr Bernard Nweke, noted that there were some numbers of colonial buildings still strong but needed a modern touch and renovations, fittings and furnishing.
“We have a challenge and a need for constant water to cater for the number of children that will flood the institution as soon as it is re-launched. We also need a sick bay/clinic for healthcare purposes, a workshop for children who have flair for craftsmanship, as well as worship centres ( a church and a mosque),” Nweke said.
He said that there are adequate security men on the ground and a high perimeter fence to stem the excesses of unruly children that might be brought to be reformed in the institution.
