By Jessica John Bakari, Yola
In a landmark gesture aimed at strengthening digital inclusion and expanding livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities, the Catholic Diocese of Yola has donated six new laptops and essential Information Communications Technology (ICT) equipment to the Catholic Deaf Community (CDC) of the Diocese.
Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Dami Mamza described the donation as part of the Church’s broader mission to ensure that no member of the faith community is left behind in the rapidly evolving digital world.
Presenting the laptop recently at the Catholic Secretariat in Yola, Adamawa State capital, Dr. Mamza highlighted the importance of equipping deaf individuals with the tools and skills necessary to thrive in modern workplaces.
His Lordship noted that technological empowerment for the deaf community goes beyond hardware, stressing that “It encompasses creating learning environments that prioritize visual communication, accessibility, and hands-on training.”
A short clip of the presentation
He further stated that “the laptops will serve as foundational tools for a series of upcoming capacity-building programs designed specifically for deaf learners.”
The Bishop disclosed that key areas of technical empowerment include “Digital Skills Training,” where the CDC will introduce structured digital literacy programs, including introductory and intermediate courses in Python programming.
“These skills are increasingly in demand across global industries and will significantly enhance the employability of deaf youth in the tech sector,” he stated.
The Vocational and Creative Skills Development involves looking ahead, where the community is to expand into practical vocational training such as tailoring, fashion design, and digital arts.
“These hands-on skills will provide alternative pathways to financial independence, especially for those who may prefer entrepreneurial ventures.” the Bishop said.
The intervention also aimed at providing accessibility to educational tools that will support and personalised learning experiences as well as help bridge educational gaps often faced by deaf students.
“The new laptops will enable the integration of AI-driven learning platforms, video-based instruction, and interactive software tailored to visual learners. These tools will support personalised learning experiences and help bridge educational gaps often faced by deaf students.
“This donation underscores the Diocese of Yola’s commitment to inclusive development, aligning with global efforts to promote equal access to education, technology, and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities.
“By investing in the Catholic Deaf Community, the Diocese is not only providing equipment but also affirming the dignity, potential, and aspirations of deaf individuals,” he stated.
The donation was formally received by the leadership of the Catholic Deaf Community, led by the Vice President, Miss Chidimma, accompanied by the Chief Interpreter of the CDC.
Also present was the Coordinator of the Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Rev. Fr. Maurice Kwairanga, who has been instrumental in advancing the Church’s social inclusion initiatives in the Diocese.
Miss Chidimma expressed profound gratitude on behalf of the CDC, noting that the community was “overwhelmed with joy” at the Bishop’s generosity and commitment to their empowerment.
She emphasised that the equipment marks a new chapter in the community’s pursuit of education, employability, and self-reliance.
In an interview with the President of Deaf Community, Catholic Diocese of Yola, Adamawa State Mr. Coolma Christopher Sa’ad told Advocatus Africa that the intervention will help immensely in mitigating some of the challenges they face as a community over the years.
“The major challenges facing our members is lack of employment opportunities, which has hindered their ability to achieve financial stability. Many of us possess valuable skills in areas such as tailoring, business, and computer software applications.
“The 6 laptops donated to us will serve as an avenue for computer training to our members in our office. The primary focus now will be on training and running office needs, such as typing and other needs.
“The laptops donated by our Church Bishop will significantly enhance our capabilities, enabling us to further develop our skills. We are grateful for this support, this will go a long way in training and empowering our members to become self-sufficient.
“The CDC will begin implementing our training programs, the laptops will serve as catalysts for transformation, opening doors to new careers, fostering innovation, and empowering deaf youth to participate fully in society,” he stated.
In a related development, the Chief Shepard of the Adamawa Diocese has equally donated wheelchairs to Fortland hospital, an Orthopedic Hospital, which he said has been doing wonderfully well in saving the lives of patients who come into the hospital over the years.
Dami, who acknowledged the humanitarian services Fortland hospital is making, noted that the efforts have motivated him to assist them with the little he has received from Knights of St. Columbus in the USA, who have been supporting his Humanitarian Initiatives in Nigeria.
“We want to present these wheelchairs to you Fortland Hospital, for the services you have been rendering to humanity. You have touched a lot of people’s lives, you have healed so many people. Victims of accidents and victims of different kinds of ailments, throughout the work you are doing here, I am very much impressed.
“Knights of St. Columbus in the United States of America is a group that has been supporting the work that I am doing and has sent these wheelchairs. I have distributed some already to physically challenged persons and then reserved these two for you to move patients who cannot use their legs,” Bishop Mamza stated.
The Bishop described Fortland hospital as one of the best Orthopedic Clinic that offers best surgeries in Adamawa State stating, adding that it is his hope and prayers that the wheelchairs will be use in order to save humanity, urging those in position to always support where necessary.
Bishop Mamza also commended both doctors and staffs of Fortland hospital for the selfless services they have been rendering to the people in Adamawa and beyond, and prayed God to continue to bless and reward them abundantly.
It would be recalled that last year, Bishop Mamza also extended a similar gesture to Bamaiyi Clinic and the new Boshong Clinic with wheelchairs and surgery Protective Goggles, respectively.
Responding on behalf of the staff of Fortland hospital, Doctor Fashe Joseph a Consultant, appreciated Bishop Mamza and the Catholic Diocese of Yola for the gesture with a promise to make good use of the wheelchairs for the purpose intended.
Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Mamza, presenting the wheelchairs
Joseph acknowledged Bishop Mamza’s constant support to humanity, noting that Chief Shepard has been instrumental to the success stories of Fortland hospital since its inception and urged him to sustain the tempo.
“We want to appreciate you for your fatherly support right from the conception of this hospital to this time. We want to thank you for your prayers and all the advice you have given us.
“With this, we would actually manage patients in thousands. In fact, this Orthopedic Hospital is one of the busiest hospitals in the country. When we presented our report of surgery, we were told that our surgery, by the ratio of consultants, is the highest in the country.
“That came as a result of your own support and we also prayed that you continue to support us in prayers and this kind of gesture, because this wheelchairs are going to improved the lives of our patients, we are going to move them from the Ambulance to the hospital, from the theater to the wards, from the wards to the laboratory to x-ray department and I want to assure you that we are going to use this facilities to the best of our ability,” the Consultant stated.
