By Maureen Okon
The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) has deployed another set of 10 Nigerian Technical Aid (TAC) volunteers to Rwanda under its South-South cooperation programme.
The Director-General of NTAC, Dr Yusuf Yakub, said the programme was designed to showcase Nigeria’s expertise abroad while reducing irregular migration and the “Japa” syndrome through dignified, government-backed deployment.
Yakub said this at the send-off ceremony for the volunteers in Abuja, adding that the latest deployment followed two other batches sent to different countries two weeks ago.
Dr. Yusuf Yakub, the Director-General of NTAC (in white attire) and the 10 Technical Aid Corps volunteer to be deployed to Rwanda.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting the initiative, saying the presidential backing had enabled NTAC to deploy Nigerian professionals to different parts of the world every two to three weeks.
“This is another set going to Rwanda. These are professionals in different fields, doctors and PhD professors, going out to represent our great country, Nigeria, showcase our greatness, impact knowledge and serve humanity in Rwanda.
“More especially to Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, in the spirit of South-South cooperation and sharing what we have as a nation with our fellow sister countries,” he said.
The D-G said Nigeria remained the only country in Africa sustaining such a programme for more than 38 years, with over 10,000 experts deployed to more than 40 countries during the period.
Yakub also announced that arrangements had been concluded for an agreement between Nigeria and Jamaica to facilitate the deployment of 400 Nigerian youths to Jamaica for employment.
“Very soon, the agreement will be signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria and her counterpart in Jamaica. And after signing, we will start with the first set of 400 experts.
“The first batch to Jamaica will be made up mostly of young Nigerian graduates with a minimum of three years post-graduation experience.
“The initiative is designed to reduce illegal migration and ‘Japa’ by packaging Nigerians for deployment abroad with dignity and with concrete agreement between governments.
“This great initiative will put an end, or reduce drastically, the irregular migration, and it will also reduce Japa, because now the government is packaging its citizens to send them out there with dignity,” the D-G said.
Speaking separately with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), some of the TAC volunteers pledged to be good ambassadors of Nigeria, describing their selection as a rare opportunity to serve the country.
Team Lead of the delegation, Mr Aliyu Aliyu, said the volunteers were conscious of their responsibility as representatives of Nigeria.
“I am glad that out of over 10,000 entries, the few of us were selected, and by the grace of God, we will be good ambassadors of this great country, Nigeria.
“I also pray to God that after putting in all these efforts, we will return with success stories,” he said.
Also speaking, Nurse Rabiatu Sani of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, thanked God for the opportunity and pledged that the volunteers would give their best in impacting knowledge in their host community.
“We’ll make Nigeria proud, Insha Allah,” she said.
NAN reports that the Rwanda-bound team comprises professionals from health, education and other technical fields.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Emmanuel Yashim