President Bola Ahmed 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.
Haliru Nababa, who served as Comptroller-General for three years and seven months, will officially retire on December 15, 2024. He was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari. Nababa’s departure was marked by a colorful pulling-out ceremony held on Friday.
A statement by Ahmed Ja’afaru, the Secretary of the Board of Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services, confirmed that Ndidi’s appointment will take effect from December 15, 2024.
Nwakuche Sylvester Ndidi, born on November 26, 1966, hails from Oguta in Imo State. Before his appointment, he served as the Deputy Controller-General in charge of the Training and Staff Development Directorate. Ndidi is a fellow of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and holds the national honor of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR).
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, praised the retiring Controller-General, Haliru Nababa, for his visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to transforming the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Speaking at the pulling-out ceremony, Dr. Tunji-Ojo, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, highlighted Nababa’s significant strides in reforming and rehabilitating inmates, aligning with the government’s vision for public safety and justice.
In his valedictory address, Nababa reflected on his 34-year journey in the service, beginning in 1990 when he enlisted in the Nigerian Prisons Service. He noted that his tenure as Controller-General, which began on May 10, 2021, was both challenging and rewarding.
“I adopted an all-inclusive management approach, engaging stakeholders to build on past legacies and address emerging challenges,” Nababa said. “The support from my management team and field officers allowed the service to make significant progress in areas such as security, healthcare, staff training, and inmate welfare.”
Nababa expressed his gratitude to President Tinubu and the Minister of Interior for the opportunity to serve the nation, marking the end of a memorable and impactful career in the Nigerian Correctional Service.
