By Ovie Okpare
Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) has built and officially commissioned a state-of-the-art National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Study Centre inside the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Warri, Delta State.
The landmark project, which is a two-storey educational facility equipped with eight fully furnished classrooms, an administrative office, borehole water system, solar inverter, and modern toilets, is already being hailed as a symbol of hope, transformation, and second chances.
The commissioning ceremony Tuesday was attended by top government officials, correctional service leaders, corporate stakeholders, and community members.
For many, the moment signaled a rare but needed intersection between security and humanity, where the reintegration of inmates is seen not just as a possibility, but as a priority.
Speaking on behalf of the Comptroller General, Nigerian Correctional Services, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, the Assistant Comptroller of Prisons, Kingsley Njoku, expressed deep appreciation to Tantita for what he described as an unprecedented investment in the rehabilitation of vulnerable Nigerians.
“Let me begin by commending you for the courage, foresight, and determination you have demonstrated in siting this magnificent project here,” Njoku said. “It could have been built anywhere — but you chose to bring it inside a prison for the most forgotten among us.”
He described the building as a facility “completed only to Harvard and Cambridge standards,” affirming its potential to transform lives, reduce recidivism, and help inmates restart their educational journeys.
According to the CG, the project aligns with ongoing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes education as a critical tool for national security and social justice.
“In the next three years,” he promised, “you will hear the success story of our graduates.”
The Delta State Comptroller of Prisons, CC Raymond Nwaoku, echoed this sentiment, noting that the centre will serve not only inmates but also residents of the surrounding community.
He thanked Tantita for bridging the gap between incarceration and education, and appealed for computers to be added to support e-learning and ICT training. He also commended renowned comedian “Prophet” for facilitating the project.
Representing Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukarin, described the centre as a “beacon of hope” and a clear example of what happens when government and the private sector collaborate for the common good.
In a statement delivered on his behalf, Governor Oborevwori praised Tantita’s intervention as aligned with both the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and his administration’s MORE Agenda.
“True justice is not complete without genuine reformation and restoration,” the governor stated. “This building is more than a structure. It is a lifeline for those seeking redemption through knowledge.”
He called on other private organizations to emulate Tantita’s example, noting that real societal transformation begins with education — especially for the most marginalized.
The emotional highlight of the event came during the remarks of High Chief (Engr.) Kestin Ebimorbowei Pondi, Managing Director of Tantita Security Services, who described the project as “a moral duty, not just corporate social responsibility.”
“True security is not only about guarding pipelines or patrolling waters,” Pondi said. “It’s also about rebuilding lives, restoring dignity, and giving people — even inmates — the tools to become better versions of themselves.”
He reminded guests that in 2019, Nigerian prisons were renamed Correctional Centres to reflect a shift from punishment to reformation. This project, he added, is Tantita’s contribution to that vision.
Pondi pointed to Tantita’s previous humanitarian efforts — including the renovation of the historic Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna — as evidence that the company’s philosophy goes beyond profit.
“May this centre serve as a beacon of hope, a centre of learning, and a symbol of second chances — not just for inmates, but for all of us,” he said, dedicating the project to “the forgotten, the imprisoned, and the hopeful.”
