Catholic Bishop donates relief items to inmates in Yola

By Yagana Ali Yola.

The Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese, Most Rev. Stephen Dami Mamza, has donated essential relief items to inmates of the Jimeta Correctional Facility.

The donation, which included a live cow to celebrate Christmas and basic necessities, was presented during a pastoral visit to the facility. 

Bishop Mamza described the outreach as a reminder that incarceration does not strip individuals of their humanity or dignity.

“These are our brothers and sisters,” the bishop said quietly while interacting with inmates. “Mistakes may have been made, but mercy, care, and the chance for renewal must never be denied.”

Correctional officials received the items with gratitude, noting that the support would go a long way in improving the welfare of inmates, especially during challenging economic times. 

The live cow, officials said, would be used to provide protein-rich meals, while the additional supplies would help meet daily needs within the facility.

Beyond the material support, the visit carried emotional weight. Bishop Mamza took time to listen to inmates’ stories, offering prayers and words of encouragement. 

For many inmates, the attention alone was deeply affirming.

“It means a lot that someone remembers us,” one inmate said. “It gives us hope that we can still be better people.”

The Jimeta Correctional Facility authorities praised the bishop’s consistent humanitarian efforts, describing the donation as a model of community partnership and moral leadership.

Bishop Mamza urged faith-based organizations, individuals, and the wider society to see correctional facilities not as places of abandonment, but as spaces for rehabilitation, compassion, and second chances.

As the bishop departed, smiles and quiet prayers followed him—small signs that a simple act of kindness had rekindled dignity and hope where it is often in short supply.