The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, NTAC, Dr. Yusuf Yakub, has charged ten newly selected NTAC volunteers scheduled for deployment to Rwanda to uphold the image of Nigeria and conduct themselves with the highest level of integrity, professionalism and patriotism throughout their two-year assignment in Rwanda .
In a statement by the NTAC Head, Information & Public Relations, Mrs. Ojo Olubunmi, the NTAC Director-General gave the charge during the orientation and pre-deployment programme organised for the volunteers at the NTAC Complex in Abuja, ahead of their deployment to Rwanda.
Dr. Yakub described the volunteers as Nigerian ambassadors, stressing that their conduct in their host country would directly reflect on the image and reputation of Nigeria.
“You are going out there not as Professor Abubakar, or Dr. Ngozi, or Abiodun. You are going there as Nigeria. Not just as a Nigerian, but as Nigeria. Whatever you do there, they are seeing Nigeria.” He added
He urged volunteers to leave behind their weaknesses and go to Rwanda with their strengths, while demonstrating patriotism, diligence, discipline and integrity in the discharge of their responsibilities.
According to him, the volunteers were selected to fill specific manpower gaps based on requests from the host country and were therefore expected to perform their duties diligently and make meaningful contributions to the development of Rwanda.
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The NTAC Director General explained that the Corps, established in 1987 and backed by an Act of the National Assembly in 1993, remains an important instrument of Nigeria’s soft-power diplomacy and South-South cooperation, providing technical assistance to countries across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
He noted that Nigeria had sustained the Technical Aid Corps programme for 38 years, describing this as a significant demonstration of the country’s enduring commitment to supporting human-capacity development and strengthening relations with developing countries.
Dr. Yakub also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support for NTAC and its mandate, noting that the “Administration’s renewed commitment to Nigeria’s foreign policy and soft-power diplomacy, particularly through the 4D Foreign Policy Initiative of Mr. President, has helped to reposition the Corps for greater effectiveness and impact”.
He further commended the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, for her support for NTAC and its programmes.
The Director-General assured the volunteers that the Corps would continue to cater for their welfare, including the payment of their allowances and provision of flight tickets, while the Nigerian Embassy in Rwanda would provide the necessary diplomatic and consular support throughout their assignment.
He added that the host university would be responsible for their accommodation, utility bills and transportation to and from their places of work.
“Encouraged the volunteers to see their deployment not merely as an employment opportunity, but as a call to serve Nigeria and humanity, noting that NTAC volunteers had, over the years, distinguished themselves in their host countries and risen to positions of responsibility, including Vice-Chancellors, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Deans and Heads of Departments”. Dr. Yakub revealed.
Earlier, the NTAC Director of Programmes, Ambassador Bello Jaiye, welcomed the volunteers and disclosed that the necessary selection, interview and documentation processes had been completed.
He stated that the volunteers were expected to depart for Rwanda shortly after the orientation programme.
Speaking on behalf of the volunteers, the team leader, Dr. Aliyu Isa Aliyu, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve Nigeria through the NTAC programme and assured the Director-General and the country that the team would give its best and uphold Nigeria’s good image throughout their assignment.
The orientation programme also exposed the volunteers to the rules, regulations, expectations and other essential information required for a successful and impactful assignment in Rwanda.
