Ishaq Ahmed, Abuja
The Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, NTAC, Mr. Yusuf Yakub, has charged 20 volunteers deployed to Liberia to be good ambassadors of Nigeria, and tasked them to change the narratives about the country.
He also received 14 volunteers from Liberia who completed their two years in the country.
Yakub commended President Bola Tinubu for initiating the 4Ds Foreign policy framework of Diplomacy, Development, Diaspora and Democracy which has raised the country’s image globally.
“Your exposure in Liberia has equipped you as future leaders for Nigeria and you are seen as expert a.mbassadors, and your experiences will profoundly benefit our nation,” he added.
The Director-General also urged the 14 returning volunteers to apply the skills and knowledge they acquired to drive positive change in their communities.
He challenged them to “let your experiences shape your perspectives and inform your decisions and remember your role as Ambassadors of Nigeria doesn’t end with this assignment; it’s a lifelong commitment to representing our nation’s values and ideals.”
New Volunteers
To the new set of volunteers, he emphasised their role as technical ambassadors tasked with showcasing the best of our nation.
The Director General encouraged the new volunteers to uphold exemplary conduct that counters negative narratives about Nigeria.
The Director-General reiterated that the deployment exercise underscores Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to South–South cooperation and to sustaining development-oriented diplomacy, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the guiding principles of President Tinubu’s 4D Foreign Policy framework.
The NTAC Director of Programmes, Ambassador Zakari Usman, commended
the returning volunteers for their successful service and safe return.
“These volunteers have exemplified Nigeria’s expertise and built
lasting bridges with our Liberian brothers and sisters,” he stated.
The returning volunteers shared their achievements and challenges, while the new Team Leader, Mr. Ismail Raji, pledged to continue the excellent work started by the previous volunteers and proudly carry Nigeria’s mantle forward.
During the ceremony, the Director-General presented certificates of participation to the returning volunteers, highlighting NTAC’s impactful history of deploying over 10,000 volunteers to 40 countries since its establishment in 1987.
Hauwa Abu