FG Approves Employment Of Doctors, Nurses For Inmates

The Federal Government has approved the employment of 50 doctors and 100 nurses to cater for the medical needs of inmates in correctional centres across the country.

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo also got a presidential approval for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to post medical doctors to correctional centres for the service year, in realization of the need to protect the rights of the weakest in the society.

The Minister who disclosed this in Abuja also announced the approval of the extension of service beyond retirement age for existing medical personnel under the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to cover for shortfalls in the short term.

Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said the renovation of the Kuje Correctional Centre has been completed noting that the facility was given a facelift from what it used to be .

“It is entirely new; from the cells to the water supply, to the hospital, amongst others, as we are making sure Mr. President’s magnanimity is felt across all areas. For the President, it is about building a system that will stand the test of time, as he is not just providing short-term solutions to long-term problems. He is not providing long-term solutions to short-term problems, but providing short-term solutions to short-term problems and long-term solutions to long-term problems, which is encouraging,” he stated.

The Minister said approval has also been given for the establishment of a National Paramilitary Academy as a degree-awarding institution where young citizens will be trained in paramilitary engagement.

“We need a degree-awarding institution, like the Nigerian Defence Academy, that will train young persons after securing admissions through the University Tertiary Matriculation Examination”.

“When they come out, they come out as officers, properly trained to contribute their quota to national security,” he said.

While speaking on the issuance of visa, the Minister noted that the process is taking a new dimension, adding that all Nigerian visas will now be applied for online and processed within 48 to 72 hours.

On the security of lives and property, the Minister reiterated government’s efforts in sanitising the Private Guard sector.

“We are ensuring that the sector is structurally built in such a way that it can add value to the security architecture of the country. We are in the process of deploying what we call the Guard Management System for the automation of processes along that line,” he said.

Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, however, acknowledged the support of the President, Bola Tinubu in achieving the mandate of all agencies under the ministry.

Nkiru Njemanze