The Kaduna state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) to train prison inmates in skills and vocational education.
Following the MoU, prison inmates across the state will now be trained on some vocational skills that would make them self-reliant after serving their jail terms.
At the ceremony, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna state, Bala Bantex, signed on behalf of the state government while the Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, Professor Abdalla Adamu, signed for the institution.
Under the partnership, the state government will provide the startup packs for the training, while the university will provide the manpower and facilities.
Speaking to reporters at the end of the event, the Kaduna State Deputy Governor said that the programme is aimed at rehabilitating and empowering prison inmates who are serving their jail terms with the necessary skills that will enable them to become useful to the society upon completion of their jail terms.
The Deputy Governor also hinted that the state government is also partnering with the state prison command to ensure that prisons across the state are decongested and given a face lift in line with global best practices.
The Vice Chancellor of National Open University of Nigeria, Professor Abdalla Adamu, while commending the Kaduna state government for initiating the training programme, called on other states across the country to take a cue from Kaduna.
He disclosed that the training would be free of charge and added that the university is also offering free university education for prison inmates across the country.
On his part, the Kaduna State Controller of Prisons, Yazid Alhassan, commended the state government for the gesture, which he said would help in reducing the level of crime in the society.
Kaduna is the first state in the Nigeria to initiate such programme aimed at reducing crime in the country.
At least 700 inmates across the state are expected to benefit from the training programme.
