Nigerian Correctional Service Edo Command, Partners CRAII, Holds Grand Finale Of 2026 Civil Rights Games

“No life is a waste,” declares Edo Commissioner for Education, as stakeholders call for stronger support for inmates’ reintegration into society. The event, themed “Rehabilitation Through Sports Education and Social Reintegration,” featured football, athletics, table tennis, and tug-of-war competitions among inmate teams. 

Benin City — The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Edo State Command, in partnership with the Civil Rights Advancement and Information Initiative (CRAII), has held the grand finale of the 2026 Civil Rights Games at the Maximum Security Correctional Centre Oko, with a renewed call for the rehabilitation of inmates through sports, education, and social reintegration.

The event, themed “Rehabilitation Through Sports Education and Social Reintegration,” was held at the correctional facility and featured football, athletics, table tennis, and tug-of-war competitions among inmate teams.

Declaring the event open, the Controller of Corrections, Edo State Command, J. Osewengie, said the games were part of the recreational programmes designed to rehabilitate inmates in line with the mandate of the Correctional Service. He explained that engaging inmates positively through sporting activities would prepare them to become productive citizens upon discharge.

Osewengie disclosed that the command had also introduced other reform programmes, including “Edu-therapy,” which involves entertainment and comedy, to enhance inmates’ mental and emotional well-being. “We collaborate with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) to educate formally those inmates who desire to have formal education. We also work with the Ministry of Works to test and certify those who have learned a trade,” he said.

The grand finale attracted dignitaries from the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), the Ministry of Education, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and Hope Behind Bars, a non-governmental organisation, among others.

The Civil Rights Games is an initiative designed to promote rehabilitation, discipline, education, sportsmanship, and social reintegration while providing inmates with meaningful opportunities for personal development and positive engagement.

In his remarks, the National Coordinator of CRAII, Mr. Akpor Andrew, Esq., described the initiative as “a mandate given to me by God before I became a lawyer.” He said the games grand finale is the second edition, which started in Edo State, would be extended to correctional facilities across the country.

Mr. Andrew noted that he had discovered “many talents behind the walls,” adding that with sports and educational activities, inmates could develop their skills and acquire degrees that would enable them to apply for jobs and become useful members of society upon discharge.

The football competition ended with Team Block ‘Freedom’ defeating Team Block ‘Blessed’ 2-1 to emerge champions, while Team Block ‘Blessed’ won the keenly contested tug-of-war final against Team Block ‘Diligence’. In the table tennis final, Mr. Aroma (not real name) defeated Mr. Oletus (not real name) to clinch the title. Trophy’s Awards and prizes were presented to winning teams and individuals at the end of the games.

Commending the organisers, the State Coordinator of the National Directorate of Employment, Mr. Uwadia Cletus, described the games as “a dimension for the rehabilitation of inmates.”

The Commissioner for Education, Edo State, who was represented at the event by Mrs. Ero Ugiagbe, thanked the organisers for creating such an opportunity for the inmates. “No life is a waste. Being here is not the end; there is still hope after discharging,” she said.

Mrs. Ugiagbe emphasised the importance of learning, noting that the inmates were already shining through their skills, which aligns with one of the agenda items of the state governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

Also speaking, the Deputy Director of Programmes, NTA, Mr. Lawrence Arokoyo, rated the inmates’ performance as “very impressive” and commended both the organisers and the participants for their sportsmanship. He described the initiative as a platform for the personal development of inmates and for ensuring social reintegration, which he said was key to the entire programme.

The Deputy Controller of Corrections, In-Charge Maximum Security Custodial Centre Oko, M. Egbe, said he hoped that someday an inmates after discharge will represent either the state or national level believing that much has been committed to their sporting activities and this will go a long way to rehabilitate them

One of the inmates, who won the table tennis competition, expressed happiness after his victory. On behalf of other inmates and teams, he appreciated the organisers for the opportunity to display their talents and for the awards given.