Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, has approved the employment of 424 health professionals to bolster medical facilities across the state.

Alhaji Mamman Mohammed, Buni’s Director-General Press and Media Affairs, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Damaturu on Tuesday.

He said 205 of the employed workers were Nurses and Midwives, who graduated from the state-owned Shehu Sule College of Nursing and Midwifery, Damaturu.

“Similarly, the governor has approved the employment of 219 Health Technicians with specialty in different fields to meet the professional requirements of the state’s hospitals.

“The newly employed health workers are to be deployed to both rural and urban areas towards providing efficient health services to people across the state,” Mohammed said.

The governor’s aide noted that the employment was in line with Buni-administration’s policy of providing accessible and affordable healthcare services to the people.

He charged the new workers to be loyal, disciplined and dedicated to their duty to justify government’s investment as well as confidence reposed in them.

Mohammed said the governor assured that healthcare service delivery would continue to be on the priority list of his administration.

“Buni noted that government would continue to provide hospitals with required facilities, medical consumables, and qualified staff for continuous improvement of healthcare delivery in the state,” he assured. (NAN)

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Yola, Bishop Stephen Mamza,  on Tuesday donated some gifts to inmates at Yolde-Pate Correctional Centre in Yola-South.

Speaking at the Correctional Centre, Mamza said that the donation which was made in the spirit of love would make the inmates feel the impact of Christmas being a period of joy, happiness and peace.

“We are here to rejoice with the inmates, tomorrow will be the Christmas for all of us Christians and humanity for the whole world, the time we commemorate and celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“It is a period of joy, happiness and peace because Christ have dropped peace and joy into the world for us.

“To make the inmates feel the impact of Christmas, we have decided to bring some Christmas gifts that you needed in order to live a little comfortable in the centre,” the diocese said.

Mamza, therefore, called on the inmates to take advantage of being in the centre to change positively and contribute to the development of their communities after their jail term.

He also assured them that the ongoing construction of the Chapel in the centre that he had started would be completed and put to use soonest.

In his remarks, ACC Williams Cham, the Control in charge of the Centre, expressed their appreciation to the diocese for supporting the well-being of the inmates under their custody and assured him of judicious distribution of the items to them.

The donated items includes 672 bathroom slippers, 180 pieces of Izal disinfectants, 1,080 bottles of vaseline Jelly, 720 pieces of soaps, a carton of medicines and 40 medium size mats, among others. (NAN)

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most. Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, on Tuesday urged the  Federal Government  to do more to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.

Martins said that the government should introduce and implement more favourable policies to reduce economic hardship.

The cleric made this known in his  Christmas message to  Nigerians.

The message was signed by the  Director of Social Communications of the archdiocese,  Rev.

Martins said that there was the need  for a more conducive  environment for businesses to thrive as a strategy to reduce unemployment and  poverty.

“This is more urgent than ever,” he said.

He emphasised the need for leaders to prioritise the welfare of  the masses above private and parochial interests particularly in addressing hunger, unemployment and insecurity.

The cleric expressed sadness at the death of Nigerians,  including children,   due to stampede in Ibadan, Abuja and Anambra State, in their quest to access food palliatives.

He urged the Federal Government to come up with more short-term measures to cushion the effects of policies  deemed to have positive results on the long-term, such as fuel subsidy removal.

“In addition, it is necessary to pay more attention to the agricultural sector so that food security can be ensured.

“This special season reminds us of the profound love of God, who sent His only Son to redeem humanity.

“May the light of Christ illuminate our lives, dispel darkness and fill our hearts with love, compassion and kindness.

“As we gather with family and friends, let us not forget those who are less fortunate, the vulnerable and the marginalised.

“May our celebration be a catalyst for acts of charity, generosity, and solidarity,” he said (NAN)