The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced that President Bola Tinubu has approved the employment of 50 medical doctors and 100 nurses to strengthen healthcare services in the nation’s correctional centre hospitals.
Tunji-Ojo made the disclosure on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, in Abuja. The approval follows concerns over the shortage of medical personnel in several correctional facilities, including the hospital in Rivers State’s correctional centre, which reportedly had no doctor available to attend to inmates.
“The President understands that he is the leader of all Nigerians, including inmates, and has consistently shown that he cares,” Tunji-Ojo said. He also noted that some correctional centre hospitals, such as Kuje, have equipment capable of supporting major surgeries.
The minister highlighted ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to build inmates’ skills through train-the-trainer programmes and skills audits. Graduates of these programmes are empowered to train others, creating opportunities for self-sufficiency and rehabilitation.
Tunji-Ojo also mentioned improvements in living conditions for inmates, including a 50 percent increase in feeding allowances.
In addition to healthcare and rehabilitation, he outlined initiatives to strengthen national security. This includes collaboration with the Ministry of Solid Minerals to establish “mine marshals” within the NSCDC to protect minefields, reduce criminal activity, and safeguard critical national assets.
He urged the Ministry of Information and National Orientation to showcase the achievements of the Ministry of Interior and strengthen public communication on national security and correctional reforms.
In response, Minister Idris emphasized the importance of collaboration to ensure that the public is informed about government reforms and initiatives.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that whatever the administration does, the Nigerian public hears it and aligns with it,” he said.