Ja’afaru: A Prisons boss with a vision
Afew months ago, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Ja’afaru Ahmed as the Controller- General of the Nigerian Prisons Service, following a very thorough and meticulous screening exercise. Of all those nominated for the position, Ja’afaru was found worthy based on merit, as a result of which he assumed this leadership role with consummate ease.
A regular personality, he is quite, simple, unassuming and almost completely without ego. He does not seem like the kind of boss that will allow power to get to him. It is impossible to meet Ja’afaru and not be struck by his humility and as a person who believes more in action than glamour. I have discussed several times with him on issues and on each count, he sounded very intelligent, smart and passionate about the upliftment of the Prisons Service and its success. His believe that all things worldly are ephemeral explains his apparent disdain for greed. This is a very rare character trait in our clime. Concerned with what is right as against who is right, Ahmed Ja’afaru has the temerity and the presence of mind to face squarely the deplorable condition of the nation’s Prisons. In other words, he is determined to rise to the challenge of meeting citizens’ expectation of service delivery.
With only a few months in office, the Controller-General has been able to confront some of the challenges hindering the smooth running of the Nigerian Prisons Service. For instance, he has, with the support of his Minister, been able to secure about 320 vehicles to be used to convey inmates from the various prisons in the country to the courts. In his own words, as contained in his blue print for his organization, the Controller-General states, “of immediate concern to my leadership is the issue of slow dispensation of justice which has culminated in unacceptable long stay of persons awaiting trial in the prison and the attendant problem of congestion; bearing in mind the fact that one of the cardinal responsibilities we have as prisons officers is returning offenders back into society with adequate resources to live a crime free life. Therefore, we shall have more secondary school leaving certificate examination centres in the prisons as well as revive our after care services.” “60% of those awaiting trail,” Ja’afaru goes on, “are facing non-bailable offences such as armed robbery, murder etc, therefore, we will work with the judiciary to establish High Courts near prisons that have high congestion to enable quick trial.”
With huge allocation for capital projects in this year’s budget for the Prisons Service, Ja’afaru Ahmed will be able to build new structures to replace the old and dilapidated ones, some of which were built during the colonial era. I have it on strong authority that he has concluded arrangement to use technology to secure the prison premises. Further to his plan to re-open about 32 prisons that were closed during the insurgency in the North East, Ja’afaru has organized workshops and seminars for personnel to “strengthen discourse with the judiciary and the Nigeria Bar Association for the adoption of non-custodial sentencing options” in line with the law to “reduce inmates population and recidivism thereby lessoning the financial burden on government. Also, he has formulated a blue print which will guarantee a farewell to staff indiscipline. He realized, rightly, that it is leadership and lack of focus that has failed most government institutions in our country. Now, any officer that breaks the rules fears retribution. What is more, the Controller-General has formed alliance with international agencies and organizations to train staff of the organization abroad. This, he did with the aim of making it possible for personnel to acquire modern methods of Prison management. According to him, “I will encourage team spirit, integrative and collaborative ideas among my colleagues and all stakeholders on issues that are righteous and just in the discharge of our duties as correction officers.”
Against this background, one can see that Ahmed’s administrative correctness is phenomenal, stemming from a sound public service background. With Ja’afaru at the helm of affairs, the Nigerian Prisons Service has a unique opportunity of presenting a new image of itself, thereby changing its landscape. Evidence abound that eloquent, cerebral and knowledgeable Ja’afaru Ahmed, the new Controller-General of Prisons has a vision. He is undoubtedly heading to be one of the most successful Prisons boss in history.