The Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese, Stephen Dami Mamza, has donated six laptops and other essential information technology equipment to the Catholic Deaf Community (CDC), in a move aimed at promoting digital inclusion and economic empowerment for persons with disabilities.
The presentation, which took place at the Catholic Secretariat in Yola with the leadership of the deaf community and officials of the Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) in attendance.
Receiving the items on behalf of the CDC, the Vice President, Miss Chidimma, expressed gratitude to the bishop, describing the gesture as a significant boost to the community’s aspirations.
She said the donation would enhance access to education, improve digital skills, and create new opportunities for employment and self-reliance among deaf youths.
The Coordinator of JDPC, Maurice Kwairanga, who was also present at the event, commended the initiative, noting that it aligns with ongoing efforts by the diocese to promote inclusion and social justice.
Speaking during the presentation, Bishop Mamza emphasized the importance of ensuring that persons with disabilities are not left behind in the rapidly evolving digital world.
According to him, the provision of technological tools is critical in equipping members of the deaf community with relevant skills needed to thrive in modern workplaces.
The bishop further explained that the donation goes beyond providing hardware, as it is part of a broader plan to support capacity-building programmes tailored to the needs of deaf learners.
The Catholic Deaf Community is expected to leverage the equipment to introduce structured digital literacy training, including programming courses and other technology-driven skills that are increasingly in demand globally.
In addition to digital training, the community plans to expand into vocational and creative fields such as fashion design and digital arts, providing alternative pathways to financial independence.