The Correctional Service have four cardinal areas of reformation namely,
- EDUCATION
- SPORTS
- RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES
- SKILL ACQUISITION
All these areas are embedded in the three R’s of the Correctional Service Act 2019: REFORMATION,
REHABILITATION and REINTEGRATION.
These mandate or functions of the Nigerian Correctional Service cannot be achieved without the assistance and collaboration of some stakeholders or well meaning citizens of Nigeria.
The Catholic Church has been a major stakeholder in the Prison Apostolate Ministry, nationally and Internationally. Thus following the injunction of Christ in the gospel according to St. Matthew 25: 36-46, the Catholic Church has played a vital role in partnering with the Nigerian Correctional Service in the reformation process of the inmates. However, ARCHBISHOP VALERIAN OKEKE stands out in his pastoral care of the prisoners. For over 20 years, he has remained CONSISTENT (though mostly unannounced and unpublicised) in his transformational strides and human development of the inmates in ONITSHA CUSTODIAL CENTRE. From the renovation of their cells, to his three times visits to the Custodial Centre, where he celebrates his birthdays, Christmas and Easter festivities respectively, to the donation of relief materials and items, installation of Television sets in all the cells, to facilitating the release of many inmates, to the promotion of educational activities in the Centre, to the most recent construction and equipping of the Ultra Modern Skill Acquisition Centre for the inmates of Onitsha Custodial Centre, are just few out of the numerous developmental strides of the Archbishop in Onitsha Custodial Centre. No wonder he was given an award of recognition/ title as “THE GRAND PATRON OF ALL CUSTODIAL CENTRES IN NIGERIA.” An award that has never been given to anyone in Nigeria (living or dead) by the immediate past Controller General of Corrections, HALIRU NABABA, FICMC, MFR, MNI on the 20th of October 2023.
As it stands now, the Archbishop is relentless in his commitment to the all round development of his spiritual sons and daughters in Onitsha Custodial Centre.
These reformation processes has impacted positively on the lives of the inmates as I experience some of them engage in academic activities, learning one skills or the other etc. to become better persons in the society.
But, one of these processes brings more joy and happiness to their lives, unites the inmates not minding their support base (different cells) and showcases raw talents of these young men and women. Their anticipations are high, the excitement resonates for a long while and the passion to win motivates these inmates in SPORTS ACTIVITIES.
Every year, in ONITSHA CUSTODIAL CENTRE, a sports competition is organised in honour of the Archbishop, to herald his birthday on the 20th of October. The male inmates engage in football and table tennis activities respectively, while the female inmates engage in football, sack race and egg race activities. This tournament has given birth to lots of stars and talents from this centre. It is titled – ” ARCHBISHOP VALERIAN OKEKE SPORTS COMPETITION.”
As the English Premier league and most of the major Football leagues kicks off this August, the ARCHBISHOP VALERIAN OKEKE SPORTS COMPETITION 2025 is also starting on Monday, 11th August 2025, at Onitsha Custodial Centre.
