Metro
Prison to Correctional: New Wine in Old Wineskin
By Eric Elezuo
After 11 years of back and forth, President Muhammadu Buhari finally signed into law the Nigerian Correctional Service Bill. The bill, which was originally proposed in 2008 by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, who is presently the Chairman, Niger Delta development Commission (NDDC), had been rejected on many occasions, no thanks to constitutional technicalities.
In April 2019, Buhari had declined to sign the bill after lawmakers first passed and sent it to him, claiming that the bill violated Sections 81 and 84 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees the independence of the judiciary. it was however, amended in May and re-presented.
Paramount on the list of achievements of the bill is the fact that it changed the name of the Nigerian Prisons service to Nigerian correctional Service. Pure nomenclature!
Among other qualities, the law empowers the State Comptroller of Prisons to reject additional prisoners where the prison in question is already filled to capacity as well as divides the Correctional Service into two main areas vis a vis The Custodial Service and Non-custodial Service.
While the Custodial Service will, among other things, take control of persons legally interned in safe, secure and humane conditions and provide support to facilitate the speedy disposal of cases of persons awaiting trial, the Non-custodial Service will be responsible for the administration of non-custodial measures like community service, probation, parole, restorative justice measures and such other measures as a court of competent jurisdiction may order.
Like before, the law will seek to focus on correction and promote reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders and provides of the Controller-General as the administrative head, to be assisted by a minimum of eight Deputy Controller-Generals.
Again, it is believed that the Service must initiate behaviour modification in inmates through the provision of medical, psychological, spiritual and counselling services for all offenders including violent extremists. The law also states that where an inmate sentenced to death has exhausted all legal procedures for appeal and a period of 10 years has elapsed without the execution of the sentence, the Chief Judge may revert the death sentence to life imprisonment.
A cursory look at the provision of the new law adequately balances with the former. One would have expected that thorough welfare of prisoners will be made a priority because that forms the basis of down to earth reformation. More so, the prison facilities across the federation are in sorry state just as the welfare of officers tending criminals. This has formed the bedrock of warders colluding with criminals to perpetrate more atrocities even while in incarceration.
While we applaud the efforts of the Federal Government and the lawmakers, it is worthy of note that old wine cannot thrive in new wineskin neither could new wine thrive in old wineskin. A name change is not all that the prisons across the nation require.
Consider how many times the name of Nigeria’s electricity system has been changed…from National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and now to Distribution and Generating companies (DISCOs and GENCOs), yet no tangible improvement has been recorded.
The FG must go beyond name change in addressing the Nigeria’s perennial issues.
Adron Homes and Properties is set to take the center stage in celebrating culture, history, and community at the grand finale of the Ibadan Cultural Festival 2026, scheduled to hold at the iconic Lekan Salami Stadium on Saturday.
In a bold demonstration of its commitment to preserving Nigeria’s socio-cultural heritage, Adron Homes is proudly sponsoring this year’s festival, reinforcing its role as a corporate institution that goes beyond real estate to actively supporting the traditions and identity of its host communities.
The Ibadan Cultural Festival, a time-honored celebration of the people, history, and legacy of Ibadanland, has once again drawn widespread attention, uniting sons and daughters of the ancient city alongside dignitaries, cultural custodians, and enthusiasts. As anticipation builds for tomorrow’s grand finale, the city is already aglow with excitement, color, and cultural pride.
Adron Homes’ involvement has significantly amplified the scale and reach of the festival, ensuring that the rich customs, music, dance, and traditional displays associated with Ibadan’s heritage are not only celebrated but sustained. The company’s sponsorship reflects a deep understanding that culture remains the backbone of community development and identity.
The company reiterated that supporting the Ibadan Cultural Festival is part of a broader vision to invest in people, preserve history, and strengthen communal bonds. They emphasized that Ibadan, as one of Nigeria’s most historically significant cities, deserves continuous corporate backing to keep its traditions alive and thriving.
Tomorrow’s grand finale at Lekan Salami Stadium promises a spectacular convergence of tradition and modern celebration, with captivating performances, music, royal appearances, and a showcase of the enduring spirit of Ibadanland. Adron Homes will stand prominently as a key enabler of this cultural landmark event.
Through this sponsorship, Adron Homes once again affirms its position as a socially responsible brand, one that not only builds homes but also nurtures heritage, celebrates identity, and fosters unity.
As the drums roll and the stage is set for the grand finale, Adron Homes remains at the heart of it all, championing a legacy that ensures culture lives on for generations to come.
At a time when concerns over youth involvement in crimes, cultism and other vices, continue to reverberate across communities in Lagos, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan, has issued a firm and unequivocal charge to young people and community advocates to uphold integrity and reject all forms of social vices.
Speaking at a strategic implementation meeting with members of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund Campaign Against Crimes, Cultism and Other Vices (LSSTF-CACCOV), led by its State Coordinator, Dr. Moses Oladimeji, Ogunsan stressed that the success of any security intervention rests heavily on the moral standing and personal discipline of those entrusted with its execution.
During the meeting, the LSSTF CEO also announced that the Agency’s
prevention initiative against Crimes, Cultism and Other Vices, LSSTF-CACCOV will be addressing thousands of students at its Flagship Youth Security Awareness and Orientation Campaign at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) in May, 2026. This will be immediately followed by another youth campaign focused on Cybersecurity and Digital Security.
In a strongly worded address, he cautioned members of the Committee against any conduct capable of tarnishing the credibility of the initiative: “You, yourselves, must rise above board. No one must accuse you of defrauding them; the moment we hear it, you are off. I don’t want anyone to bring disrepute to this organization. We will publicly disclaim you if you do so. You have to work on yourself. This goes beyond you personally to those you relate with. You have a friend and the friend is a cultist; no, you are not supposed to be there.”
The LSSTF-CACCOV initiative represents a preventive, community-driven approach to tackling insecurity by engaging youths constructively and steering them away from crime, cultism, and other destructive behaviors. In Lagos, the city regarded as Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre and West Africa’s economic hub, stakeholders have consistently underscored the direct link between security and economic productivity. Youths, who constitute a significant portion of the population, remain central to this equation.
Dr. Ogunsan further urged young people across Lagos to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their communities, emphasizing the importance of reporting suspicious activities and fostering a culture of accountability. According to him, sustainable development cannot thrive in an atmosphere of fear and lawlessness.
Responding on behalf of the Committee spearheading the crime prevention initiative of LSSTF, Dr. Oladimeji reaffirmed the group’s commitment to grassroots engagement and behavioral reorientation among youths: “We understand that the issues of crime and cultism are concerns that worry every community. So, the initiative is a preventive approach to positively engage youths to resist vices, cultism, and crime, so that we can all live in a peaceful environment. Because if businesses will thrive and careers will grow, security will be of major importance.”
Security experts have long noted that investment in youth development, including through education, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and gainful engagement, remains one of the most effective tools for crime prevention. By positioning young people as both stakeholders and ambassadors of peace, LSSTF-CACCOV aims to reshape community narratives and reinforce the values of responsibility, productivity, and lawful conduct.
Present at the strategic implementation meeting are the Executive Secretary/CEO, LSSTF Dr Ayodele Ogunsan; Director of Administration, LSSTF, Mr. Adegbola Lewis; Executive Assistant, LSSTF, Mrs. Adaobi Nwankwo; State Coordinator, Lagos State Security Trust Fund Campaign Against Crime, Cultism and Other Vices (LSSTF-CACCOV), Dr. Moses Oladimeji; Assistant State Coordinator/General Secretary, LSSTF-CACCOV, Uzezi Akinwoleola; Head, Human Resources and Training, LSSTF-CACCOV, Prominence Promise; Head, Education, Advocacy and Empowerment, LSSTF-CACCOV, Joseph Akinwoleola; Head, Media, Press and Public Relations, LSSTF-CACCOV, Taiwo Idris; and Head, Strategy, Digital Communication, and Technology, Olugbogi Nathanael
A man whose identity had not been established at the time of filing this report was rescued after reportedly attempting to jump into the Lagos Lagoon from a bridge.
Eyewitnesses said the individual parked his vehicle on the bridge before entering the water, prompting alarm among passersby.
The situation was, however, swiftly brought under control as local fishermen in the area intervened and pulled him out of the lagoon, preventing what could have resulted in a fatal outcome.
A video capturing the rescue surfaced on social media on Wednesday, shared by Isaac Fayose, who expressed concern over the incident and called on Nigerians to pay closer attention to the well-being of those around them.
“Please, check on your family and friends. This just happened today. Who knows what went wrong,” he wrote.
As of the time of this report, the circumstances leading to the incident remain unclear, while authorities have yet to provide an official account.
The Lagos State Police Command had also not issued any confirmation of the incident.
