The new Controller, Nigerian Correctional Service, Delta State Command, Mr. Friday Ovie, has described the media as veritable tool in nation-building.
The Controller stated this when he led some senior officers of the command on a familiarization visit to the Press Centre of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, Asaba
.
He said that as the new Controller, the visit became imperative to acquaint him with the journalists and seek the partnership of the Fourth Estate of the Realm in the discharge of their duties.
While disclosing that the NUJ Press Centre was his first port of call on assumption of office, the Edo State born controller, averred that the importance of media practitioner (journalists) cannot be overemphasized as the watch-dog of the society and critical stakeholders in nation-building.
His worlds, “We are here to seek for your partnership. We want to work with you because we are very much aware of your importance in nation building. Partnering with you will enhance the performance of our job”.
He commended the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service for his ingenuity and new innovations, disclosing that non-custodial plan was underway where some criminal elements rather than being in custody at the correctional centres would be in their communities and monitored by some officers.
The controller maintained that no convicted inmate regains his/her freedom now and remain the same as they undergo vocational and skill acquisition training in carpentry, mason, tailoring, hair dressing, among others, disclosing that most freed inmates have not only been fully integrated back into the society but also doing very well in their chosen vocations.
In his remarks, the Chairman, NUJ, Delta State Council, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu, appreciated the controller and his entourage for the visit, promising that the media would partner with the command and always do the needful to enhance the performance of their job.
