Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The 2026 Hope for Freedom Tournament has ended in grand style at the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kuje, FCT, with Team Real Madrid emerging champions of the 5th edition of the flagship sports-for-rehabilitation programme for inmates. This was contained in a statement signed by JN Osuji, Chief Superintendent of Corrections, Service Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Correctional Service National Headquarters, Abuja.
The tournament, tagged LEGEND GOLDEN CARE 5.0, is organized by the Legend Golden Care Foundation (LGCF) in partnership with the Nigerian Correctional Service. It commenced on the 20th of August, 2026, featuring four clubs – Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid – and concluded with a final match and closing ceremony.
The Honourable Minister of Interior, Hon. Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, ably represented by Babatunde Ogundare, esq, Special Adviser on Correctional Reforms to the Honourable Minister of Interior, commended the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, MFR, mni, pcc, for facilitating and sustaining collaborations with non-governmental organisations for effective reformation and rehabilitation.
The Honourable Minister described the tournament as more than football, but a therapy and a core component of the Service’s reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration programme. He noted that research has shown that sports reduces depression, relieves psychological stress, and keeps both body and spirit healthy even within custodial walls.
He reiterated that under his leadership, the Ministry of Interior is transforming the Nigerian Correctional Service from punitive to Corrections through interventions in vocational training, education, sports and the deployment of the new Correctional Information Management System.
In his address, the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, MFR, mni, pcc, represented by the Deputy Controller-General, covering duties in the directorate of Inmates Training and Productivity, DCG NO Obiako, appreciated the Honourable Minister for his unwavering commitment to transforming the Service and all Services under the Ministry of Interior.
The Controller-General also thanked Legend Golden Care Foundation for the laudable initiative, noting that sports remains a powerful tool for reformation, rehabilitation, physical fitness, teamwork and mental well-being of inmates.
“This competition aligns with our mandate of not just keeping safe custody, but reforming and reintegrating those in our care to become better citizens. Sport remains an integral part of inmates’ physical reformation therapy,” the CGC stated.
He stressed that the task of correcting, reforming and reintegrating offenders requires collective effort and called on NGOs, corporate bodies, faith-based organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the exemplary model of the Legend Golden Care Foundation.
Earlier, the Executive Director of Legend Golden Care Foundation, Mrs. Kanayo Olisa-Metuh, appreciated the Officer-in-Charge of MSCC Kuje, ACC SA Adekunbi Kelvin, the FCT Command Controller represented by the Officer-in-Charge, and praised the inmates for their participation and sportsmanship.
She noted that the tournament is not a one-off activity, but marks the fifth year of LGCF’s commitment to using sports as a tool for rehabilitation, and assured the Service of her continued commitment to providing programmes that guarantee vital psychosocial support and facilitate positive transformative change.
The event was climaxed with the presentation of medals and trophy to the winners by the representative of the Honourable Minister of Interior.
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