Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced that President Bola Tinubu has sanctioned the recruitment of 50 medical doctors and 100 nurses to serve in correctional centres’ hospitals across Nigeria.
Mr. Tunji-Ojo revealed this on Tuesday during a courtesy visit from Information Minister Mohammed Idris in Abuja. He explained that the presidential approval was prompted by a shortage of medical personnel in some correctional facilities, noting that the hospital at the River State correctional centre lacked a medical doctor to attend to inmates.
Highlighting the capabilities of certain facilities, he added, “The equipment in some correctional centres, such as Kuje, can perform major surgery.”
“The president understands that he is the president of all Nigerians, including those inmates. As father to all, he has always shown that he cares,” he emphasized.
The minister also mentioned that the Federal Government has been providing training for inmates through train-the-trainer programmes.
Mr. Tunji-Ojo stressed the importance of the Ministry of Information and National Reorientation in promoting and publicising the Interior Ministry’s achievements to Nigerians.
“We want you to come and see some of the things we have been able to achieve. In terms of our national security strategy, we want to collaborate more with you so that there can be a coordinated communication strategy.
“In NSCDC, we’ve created what we call the mine marshals in collaboration with the Ministry of Solid Minerals. Now securing our minefields. You can see that the effect is there. There is a reduction in criminality and violence within this sector. And also, protection of critical national assets,” he said.
