Abuja — IN fulfillment of its mandate to provide university education to all especially the disadvantaged, the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), has taken education to the door step of Prisoners, Police, Fire service, Immigration, and other specialized agencies in the country.

Vice Chancellor of the Noun, Prof. Olugbemiro Jegede who was on advocacy visit to the Prisons, Police, Fire service, Customs and others Headquarters in Abuja Wednesday to solicit partnership with these specialized agencies indicated NOUN willingess to make this possible through an open distance learning (ODL) programme.

He noted that this would be organized at specialized Study centres to be provided by the Nigeria Prison Service, Fire service, Police and others in collaboration with the NOUN, which will take it upon itself to equip the centers for effective learning.

In his words, "This is the second phase of NOUN, the first is to provide distance learning to all nooks and crannies of the country, second which we are doing today is to take education to the specialized agencies especially those due to the nature of their duty can not attend normal university education, such as the police, fires service men, prison staff and the inmates among others".

He pointed out that it would be inhuman to punish the inmates and at the same time deny them the opportunity of improving themselves to cope with life when freed and be useful to themselves and the society.

He cited the case of the South African former President, Dr. Nelson Mandela, who while in prison, had access to education through open distant learning, adding that with a solid specialized study centres equipped with Information and Technology (IT) facilities, it would be easy for them receive instructions.

He also visited the Police Headquarters and Federal Fire Service, where he also advocated for the members of the staff to be allowed to enroll into the university so as to enable them update their knowledge on how to deliver qualitative service in their chosen career.

He said: "we thought it wise that we should do things the way it is done in countries elsewhere. If we are in real democracy we must meet the needs and aspirations of everybody especially the down trodden, the marginalized and the less privileged in the society."

"We are bringing education to the prisoners; they need education to be able to cope with life and to cope with the global demands."

Comptroller-General of prisons Service, Mr. Okwara Uche Kalu who was enthusiastic about the development, noted that the formation has an open door policy on education related issues, saying it would be a boost not only to the inmates, but the staff as well.

"We are glad to know our prisoners can also benefit from university education through the services of NOUN. We already have remedial study centers but this would be an added advantage for us".

Also speaking, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Sunday Ehindero stated that the establishment of a national open distant learning was a very wise decision by the federal government as it would reduce the tension associated with the quest for conventional university.

Ehindero noted that the force has over 325,000 officers many of whom needed to benefit from the services of NOUN. He expressed appreciation for the sensitization by NOUN while assuring of his maximum cooperation to realize the objectives.