Prisons Service screens 223,000 for 3,528 jobs

Clement Idoko, Abuja - 06.07.2008

THE Nigerian Prisons Service on Saturday commenced the screening of about 223,000 candidates who applied for recruitment into the Superintendent and Inspectorate cadre nationwide.

Prisons Public Relations Officer, Mr. Kayode Odeyemi, in Abuja, said about 7000 candidates turned out for screening at the Federal Capital Territory.

The prisons authorities had advertised for the recruitment of 3528 officers of Superintendent and Inspectorate cadres, a total of 528 Superintendent cadre and 3000 of Inspectorate cadre, to beef up the staff strength of the service.

He said the screening exercise was done simultaneously all over the 36 states of the federation, including the FCT yesterday, while that of the Inspectorate cadre will hold on July 12, 2008 respectively.

Because of the desire to select the best for the job and handle the large numbers of the applicants, the Minister of Interior, Major General Godwin Abbe has directed that applicants be screened according to their height, health and general fitness.

He said the applicants were asked to run 3.2 kilometres in 20 minutes. Besides, they had to sit for examinations in three selected subjects, including Mathematics and English Language after which successful applicants will proceed on medical tests.

This, according to him, is to ensure that the best candidates are recruited to fit into the on-going federal government’s prisons reform.

He admitted, however, that there were complaints by the candidates who felt that the conditions were harsh and difficult to meet.

“The essence of the exercise is to test their physique in line with the ministerial directives to recruit the best,” he stated.