The Federal Government has initiated a significant drive to enhance the public image and operational transparency of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) through specialized training for its media spokespersons.
Call for Enhanced Media Relations
At a three-day Capacity Building Workshop held in Abuja, the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, urged all Public Relations Officers (PROs) across the service's commands to deepen their engagement with the media. He emphasized that this is crucial for ensuring professionalism and boosting public trust in the institution.
The event, which took place on November 18, 2025, was organized in partnership with the Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), International IDEA, and the European Union.
Public Relations as a Cornerstone of Reform
Nwakuche stated that effective, professional, and equitable interaction with the press is not just beneficial but essential. "Effective public relations is not optional; it is an essential driver of our legitimacy, operational transparency, and public confidence," he declared.
He highlighted that public relations has become a cornerstone of the ongoing comprehensive transformation within the NCoS. The timing of this training is strategic, coinciding with the service's broader reforms aimed at boosting professionalism and strengthening communication across all commands.
The CGC revealed that one of his early priorities was to upscale the capacity of the PR Unit. This has been achieved through:
- Increased funding
- Provision of modern communication tools
- Intensified engagement with media at national and command levels
Impact and Recognition
Nwakuche noted that the impact of these reforms is already visible, with media coverage of the NCoS becoming more balanced and public understanding of its constitutional mandate growing.
He commended the national headquarters PRO for proactive leadership and praised command-level PROs, whom he described as "frontline ambassadors" of the Service. He acknowledged their diligent work in crisis communication, community engagement, stakeholder relations, and sustaining media visibility, which has significantly contributed to renewed public confidence.
Echoing the CGC's sentiments, the Founding Executive Director of PRAWA, Dr. Uju Agomoh, stressed that public perception of the NCoS directly determines the level of confidence Nigerians have in the institution. She emphasized the pivotal role of the service's media spokesmen in increasing both the quality and quantity of media reportage on its activities.
The Controller General also acknowledged the crucial support of development partners, including PRAWA, International IDEA, the European Union, and the media, for making the workshop possible.
