By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, has decorated a total of 305 officers and men from the command who were newly promoted.
The state controller, Julius Ezugwu speaking before the decoration in Uyo on Friday congratulated the newly promoted and charged them to be more hardworking and committed in the discharge of their duties.
Ezeugwu challenged them to think outside the box on how to add more value to the Service and improve on their services to the inmates in-terms of reformation and rehabilitations.
The Controller also appreciated the Controller General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa for staff motivation and massive promotion saying that they have never had it so big like 2023.
“The newly promoted officers, you know the task before us, it’s no longer to safe custody inmates alone but you have to ensure they are reformed, rehabilitated and be prepared to be reintegrated into the society, that is why this promotion is a call for more responsibility for you to put in your best to ensure that these inmates do not just leave raw as they came.
“The new service has made a lot of provision that even after the training the inmates will not be stigmatized because they will be certified and when they are certified they can have a gainful employment on discharge from our facilities, so I enjoin you to know that this promotion is for more service to the society.” He said.
He also urged those who did not merit the 2022 promotion to be patient, remain loyal to the Service, and be devoted to their duties noting that they will be captured in subsequent promotions.
In separate goodwill messages, the Service Commanders who graced the event congratulated the decorated officers, urged them to give their best to the Service, and restated their commitments to maintaining the mutual collaboration existing between the Nigerian Correctional Service and their respective Services in the state.
In a vote of thanks, the most senior among the decorated officers, DCC Paulinus Etim on behalf of others, expressed his immense gratitude to God for uplifting them to the next rank, and to guests for sharing in their joy. He further pledged their total loyalty and commitment to the Service and prayed for others who missed out, adding that promotion comes from God.
Our correspondent reports that the 305 decorated were part of the 10,131 officers and men of the Service whose 2022 promotion to the next rank was approved by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB).
