59 prison inmates sit for 2017 UTME

May 18, 2017 8:56 PM

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.

JAMB Candidiates in a CBT Centre during registration

It has been revealed that 59 inmates of the Ikoyi prisons Lagos on Wednesday and Thursday, May 17 and 18, sat for the ongoing

According to the reports, the number is an improvement over the 32 prison inmates that sat for the examinations in 2016.

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Mr. Idris Ibikunle, the Principal of the Ikoyi Prison school, said that the candidates were better prepared this year than they had been last year and that he is expecting a better performance.

“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 added that the prison authority supported the inmates in their preparations for the examination.

The Deputy Controller of Prisons, Mr. Julius Ezeugwu, revealed that the examination was conducted without any hitches and that he was optimistic that the candidates would perform very well.

He also explained that the examination was done in batches, allowing for those who had court appearances to do so.

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 conducted themselves admirably 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.

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The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, has said he is very passionate about these class of candidates and in ensuring that everyone is given equal opportunity.