The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) has restarted its commitment to exporting Nigerian volunteers to African, Caribbean and Pacific countries in keeping with the mandate of the agency. Such exportation, it said, would be with dignity and as the need arises.
The Director-General of the NTAC, Rt. Hon.Yusuf Buba Yakub, made this remark on Tuesday, March 4 in Abuja while receiving his Voice of Nigeria (VON) counterpart, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, in his office.
Yakubu, a former lawmaker, listed the VON as one of the first institutions of Nigeria for the fact that it was created in 1961 shortly after the country’s Independence.
He said the VON was, therefore, key to the foundation of Nigeria.
Yakub stated that the NTAC is an instrument of soft power diplomacy and that collaborating with VON would be beneficial to both organisations as it would improve the showcasing in the positive light of the activities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with regards to his foreign policy goals to a global audience.
Yakub also noted the interest President Tinubu has in the NTAC has empowered it to achieve results in the area of increased deployment of highly qualified and competent volunteers to recipient countries.
The DG further listed a few of the achievements of the NTAC since he came on board a little over a year ago, including regular deployment of volunteers to various countries of need with fully paid entitlements, introduction of revenue generation for the government by way of exportation of skilled labour with dignity for a fee to countries like Jamaica and others that are currently on course.
All of these, he said, has recently changed the narrative at the agency such that Nigerian volunteers in a place like The Gambia are now at the forefront of education administration as VCs, directors of schools and in their legal system as High Court judges and legislative draftsmen.
Earlier in his remarks, the Director-General of the VON, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, acknowledged the impact the NTAC has made these past years and commended Yakub for his achievements in so short a time at the agency.
He described Yakub as a trailblazer, a “battle tested politician, an experienced lawmaker and reconciliator who has paid his dues” and expressed joy that he is bringing in results.
Ndace declared that the NTAC and the VON have a lot in common as number one natural partners and by way of creating mutual impact of their mandates.
He offered the VON platform to the NTAC as an enabler, adding that Nigeria is a leading world power in Africa and the NTAC needs to be properly showcased to reflect such.
He assured Yakub of his readiness to support his stewardship at the NTAC in blowing his trumpet by telling the story of his programmes and activities at the agency for the world to hear.
The VON DG offered a dedicated weekly programme slot to the NTAC by way of support, publicity and better visibility.
Ndace was accompanied on the visit by the management team of his organisation.
Among those present on the side of the NTAC were the Director of Programmes, Amb. Zakari Usman; the Deputy Director, Administration, Amb. Saidu Muhammed; the Deputy Director and Head of Accounts, Mrs Meimunat Haruna-Mustapha, and the Assistant Director (Internal Audits), Mr.Adekola Lawal, among others.
The NTAC was established in 1987 and has deployed over 10,000 Nigerians to over 40 countries of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.
