59 prison inmates sit for this year's UTME

It was reported that 59 inmates of the Ikoyi prisons Lagos on Wednesday and Thursday, May 17 and 18, sat for the ongoing 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The number was an improvement over the 32 prison inmates that sat for the examinations last year.

The principal of the Ikoyi Prison School, Mr. Idris Ibikunle, told journalists that this year’s candidates were better prepared for the Exams than the once who sat for it a year earlier and he is confident that their performace would surpass the previous prison records.

“More inmates registered for the examination this year because they saw the urge to secure their future and prepare for reintegration after their prison terms. Many of them have realized that they ought not to be in prison if they were educated.

“It is because of lack of education and lack of awareness that pushed some of them into getting involved in dirty habit and anti-social behavior which landed them in prison.

“Some of them, because of lack of education, were cajoled into participating in criminal activities,’’ Ibikunle said.

He further said that the prison authority were supportive of the inmates during their preparations for the examination.

The Principal also noted that the inmates would proceed to the National Open University of Nigeria if they are able to meet up with the admission requirements.



The Deputy Controller of Prisons, Mr. Julius Ezeugwu, expressed his optimistic opion that this year’s candidates would perform exceptionally well. He also reaveled that the examination was conducted without any hitches and was organised in batches in order for those who has court appearances to have the opportunity to participate.

The JAMB’s Director of Psychometrics, Mr. Kunmi Popoola, who supervised the center, said that the board provided the Prisons School center with 60 new computers as well as accessories for the examinations.

Popoola commended the enthusiasm of some of the inmates towards education as they were orderly and corporative during the examination.

“I am happy with the conduct of the examination for the inmates, it was orderly and smooth. The examination is a reformative step and not punitive.

“Those who are about completing their jail terms, are getting ready to be re-integrated into the larger society,’’ Popoola said.

The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, has said he is very passionate about ensuring that everyone is given equal opportunity including those who are incarcerated.