The Federal Government of Nigeria has urged Public Relations Officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service to enhance media engagement to foster professionalism and public trust. Controller-General Sylvester Nwakuche made the call during a capacity-building workshop in Abuja. The event, organized with international partners, aims to support ongoing reforms in the service.
On Monday in Abuja, Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, addressed Public Relations Officers (PROs) from all commands during a three-day Capacity Building Workshop. The event, held in partnership with Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), the International IDEA, and the European Union, focused on deepening media engagement to ensure professionalism and boost public trust in the NCoS.
Nwakuche emphasized that effective and equitable media interactions are crucial for realizing the service's constitutional mandate of safe custody, humane treatment, and offender reformation. He described public relations as a cornerstone of the NCoS's ongoing transformation, stating, “Effective public relations is not optional; it is an essential driver of our legitimacy, operational transparency and public confidence.”
The Controller-General highlighted recent reforms, including increased funding for the Public Relations Unit, provision of modern communication tools, and intensified stakeholder engagement. These steps, he noted, have led to more balanced media representation and growing public understanding of the NCoS's mandate. “We are already witnessing the impact of these reforms,” Nwakuche said, pointing to improved crisis communication and community engagement by command-level PROs.
Describing the participants as the service's “frontline ambassadors,” Nwakuche commended the national headquarters PRO for proactive leadership and urged all attendees to actively participate, share experiences, and apply the training upon returning to their commands. He reaffirmed his commitment to providing continuous support and resources to the PR Unit, expressing confidence in a more visible and respected NCoS.
Earlier, Dr. Uju Agomoh, Founding Executive Director of PRAWA, underscored that public perception determines Nigerians' confidence in the institution. She stressed the role of media spokesmen in increasing the quality and quantity of reportage on NCoS activities.