By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Federal Government has approved the employment of 50 doctors and 100 nurses to address shortage of medical personnel in correctional centres across the country.
The Ministry of Interior has also secured a presidential approval for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to post medical doctors to correctional centres during the service year.
The Nation gathered in Abuja that the development would allow inmates have access to medical treatment in Correctional centres.
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo disclosed when the Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Malam Ali Mohammed Ali and his management team visited him in Abuja.
According to the Media aide to the Minister, Mr Alao Babatunde, the Minister 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.
He said in a statement that the recruitment exercise would opportunities for employment of Nigerian doctors and nurses for the Correctional Service as it would become a continuous exercise.
Tunji-Ojo said the renovation of the Kuje Correctional Centre has been completed, noting that the facility has experienced a facelift from what it used to be into a befitting edifice.
“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,” the Minister stated. The Minister also hinted that plans are underway for the establishment of a paramilitary academy in the country.
“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.
On visa issuance, the Minister noted that the process is taking a new dimension, adding that all Nigerian visas will now be applied for online and processed (approved or rejected) within 48 to 72 hours.
On the security of lives and property, the Minister reiterated government 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.
The Minister acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Ministry, saying that without his approvals the ministry would not have done so much.