President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Nwakuche Sylvester Ndidi as the acting Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), following the retirement of Haliru Nababa.
The outgoing Controller-General, Nababa is bowing out of service after reaching mandatory retirement age.
Ndidi, who until his new appointment was the Deputy Controller-General in charge of Training and Staff Development will take charge of the Service from December 15, 2024.
Tinubu urged the Acting NCoS’s Controller-General to leverage his vast experience in his new role.
Meanwhile, the outgoing CG on Friday bid the Service farewell in an emotional Pulling-Out Parade held at the service national headquarters in Abuja.
Nababa, whose career began in 1990 and culminated in his appointment as Controller-General in May 2021, expressed his gratitude to God for a successful tenure.
Reflecting on his leadership, he credited the NCoS’ advancement to his inclusive management style, which fostered collaboration with key stakeholders to overcome challenges.
Nababa acknowledged the immense responsibilities that came with his role, recognising the challenges he faced from the beginning.
He however, credited the significant strides he made in areas like security, logistics, healthcare services, staff development, and the welfare of both staff and inmates to the support of his management team and field officers.
He expressed his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the nation and thanked the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo for his unwavering support, particularly in improving personnel’s conditions and inmate welfare.
He also acknowledged his predecessors for laying the foundation his administration built upon to advance the service’s mission.
Nababa also commended his colleagues for their dedication, urging them to uphold the highest professional standards and protect the service’s reputation.
Addressing the Acting CG, Nababa extended his very best wishes, confident that he will lead the institution with loyalty, vision, and integrity.
Nababa’s tenure is remembered for modernising the NCoS, strengthening security frameworks, enhancing inmate rehabilitation programmes, and prioritising staff welfare and leaving a lasting impact on the institution.
In his goodwill message, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Tunji-Ojo, extolled Nababa’s leadership, describing his tenure as one characterised by exceptional dedication, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment.
The minister highlighted the tremendous progress made under Nababa’s stewardship in advancing the core mandate of the Nigerian Correctional Service, particularly in the areas of inmate reform, rehabilitation, and reintegration into society, the efforts he said aligned with the federal government’s goal of ensuring public safety while upholding justice.
He further commended Nababa for his focus on innovation, professionalism, and the welfare of both officers and inmates, noting that these initiatives have set a new standard within the Service.
He wished the retired CG all the best as he steps into a well-deserved retirement.