The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, NTAC, Dr. Yusuf Yakub has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s development cooperation with The Gambia through strategic technical assistance, knowledge transfer, capacity building and the deployment of skilled Nigerian professionals.
In a statement by the Head, Information & Public Relations Unit, Ojo Adetoun Olubunmi, the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps representing Nigeria at the event, the Director-General, Dr. Yakub conveyed the goodwill and greetings of President Tinubu to the Government and people of The Gambia at the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology, USET, as it graduated a total of 951 students during its 2nd Combined Convocation Ceremony held in Banjul.
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The NTAC Director-General commended The Gambia’s Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez for his steadfast commitment to the success of the partnership between the NTAC and The Gambia.
He recalled that Professor Gomez initiated discussions aimed at strengthening collaboration with NTAC as early as his second day in office, “demonstrating remarkable dedication to educational advancement and human capital development”.
The Gambian President and Chancellor of the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology, USET, Adama Barrow, has restated his country’s “profound gratitude to Nigeria for the sustained support provided through the NTAC Scheme”.
Speaking at the ceremony themed “Innovation for Impact: Science, Skills and Sustainable Development,” President Barrow commended “Nigeria’s development cooperation efforts and acknowledged the positive contributions of Nigerian professionals serving under the Technical Aid Corps Scheme to the growth of critical sectors in The Gambia, particularly higher education”.
The President also appreciated development partners and stakeholders for their contributions to the advancement of USET and charged the graduates to remain connected to their alma mater by giving back to the institution.
Mr. Barrow further encouraged the University’s Governing Council and Management to continue advancing innovation for lasting impact and sustainable development.
In her remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Nazmat Surajudeen-Bakinde, who is one of the products of the NTAC Scheme, paid special tribute to the Nigerian government and the Director-General of NTAC for their unwavering support to higher education development in The Gambia.
She acknowledged the “significant contributions of Nigerian professionals to the growth and transformation of tertiary education in the country”.
The ceremony featured the conferment of Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates on 951 graduands across various disciplines. The University also presented Awards for Academic Excellence to outstanding students, with awardees attaining impressive academic performances.
Awards of recognition were equally presented to deserving dignitaries and distinguished personalities, among the recipients was the Director-General of NTAC, Dr. Yakub, who received his award from President Barrow in recognition of NTAC’s outstanding contributions to capacity building and educational development in The Gambia.
The NTAC volunteers at the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology, USET includes: the Vice Chancellor of USET, Professor Nazmat Surajudeen-Bakinde, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Professor Ado Yusuf Abdulfatah, Director Academic Planning and Quality Assurance, Professor David Gundu, Director, Grants and Research Professor Akinlabi and the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Professor Kayode Adekeye, “their rise to such positions of responsibility underscored the enduring success and relevance of the NTAC intervention in The Gambia”.
Also in attendance were the Chairperson of the Governing Council of USET, Mr. Ebrima Cham, the Minister of Technical and Higher Education of Sierra Leone, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, members of the diplomatic corps, senior government officials, academics, development partners and other distinguished guests.
The event once again highlighted the enduring impact of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps Scheme as a strategic instrument of Nigeria’s foreign policy and South-South Cooperation, fostering human capital development, institutional strengthening and lasting bilateral relations between Nigeria and The Gambia.
