By Mercy Akuba
BENIN CITY – The newly appointed Controller of Corrections, Edo State Command, CCS Orhunmwonkpawan Igbinogun Julius Osemwegie, has reaffirmed his commitment to inmate rehabilitation and reintegration, pledging to support initiatives that promote talent discovery and positive behavioural change among inmates and ex-offenders.
The Controller made the commitment when the Executive Director of Securing the Creative Goldmine in Youths Initiative, Mr. Edwin Asibor, led a delegation of the organisation on a courtesy visit to his office in Benin City.
During the visit, Asibor expressed confidence in the capacity of the new Controller to deepen reforms within the Nigerian Correctional Service in Edo State and strengthen programmes aimed at transforming the lives of inmates.
He commended CCS Osemwegie for his wealth of experience in correctional administration and social welfare, noting that his leadership would further enhance rehabilitation, skills acquisition, and reintegration efforts across custodial centres in the state.
According to Asibor, the organisation has implemented intervention programmes in the four custodial centres located in Benin, Oko, Ubiaja, and Auchi, while also championing the Yellow Ribbon Advocacy Campaign against the stigmatization of ex-offenders.
He recalled that the organisation previously partnered with CCS Osemwegie during his tenure as Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) to organise a programme at the Children Correctional Centre, Ugbekun. The programme featured Professor Uguagbe of the Department of Social Work, University of Benin, as the resource person.
Welcoming the delegation, CCS Osemwegie recalled the longstanding partnership between the Nigerian Correctional Service, Edo State Command, and Securing the Goldmine for Youths Initiative, described the organisation as a dependable ally in the task of reforming and empowering inmates.
He praised the NGO for introducing impactful programmes that enabled inmates in the Oko and Ubiaja custodial centres to discover and develop their talents while preparing for productive lives after incarceration.
As part of efforts to encourage positive transformation among inmates, the Controller disclosed plans to collaborate with the organisation in overseeing the launch of a music album by a former inmate titled “Crime No Dey Pay.”
According to him, the album carries a strong anti-crime message and is expected to inspire inmates, ex-offenders, and young people to embrace lawful and productive pursuits.
“The correctional system is not only about custody; it is also about reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration. ”
“We will continue to create opportunities for inmates to discover and develop their talents so they can contribute meaningfully to society upon release,” he said.
The Controller assured that under his leadership, the Edo State Command would intensify programmes that promote education, vocational training, entrepreneurship, and talent development among inmates.
CCS Osemwegie, who assumed office as the 21st substantive Controller of Corrections for Edo State on January 23, 2026, is widely regarded as a seasoned correctional administrator with extensive experience in inmate welfare, aftercare services, and custodial management.
A native of the Benin Kingdom in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, he enlisted into the Nigerian Correctional Service in 1991 as an Assistant Superintendent of Prisons.
Since then, he has attended numerous professional courses within and outside the Service, including European Union training on Non-Custodial Measures and a United Nations special programme on the de-radicalisation of violent and extremist offenders.
Throughout his distinguished career, he has held several strategic positions, including Officer-in-Charge of Welfare in various custodial centres, Deputy Controller of Corrections in charge of Welfare and Aftercare at both state and zonal levels, and Controller of Corrections at the National Headquarters in Abuja.
Academically, he holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in the discipline. He is also a Certified Trainer in Social Work.
His appointment comes at a time when correctional institutions across the country are increasingly prioritising rehabilitation, skills development, and reintegration as essential components of criminal justice administration.
Stakeholders have expressed optimism that his leadership will further strengthen reforms and advance human-centred correctional practices in Edo State.