The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) has deployed 18 Nigerian professionals to Rwanda, urging them to uphold Nigeria’s image through professionalism, discipline and dedication to service.
The Director-General of NTAC, Dr. Yusuf Yakub, gave the charge during an orientation and briefing for the volunteers in Abuja, ahead of their deployment to the Catholic University of Rwanda and Protestant University of Rwanda.
Dr. Yakub said the Technical Aid Corps programme had been revitalised under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration after experiencing a period of decline, with Nigerian volunteers now being deployed regularly to countries across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
He said NTAC, established 38 years ago and backed by an Act of the National Assembly in 1993, remained an important instrument of Nigeria’s soft-power diplomacy, having deployed more than 10,000 Nigerian experts to over 40 countries.
“You are going out to Rwanda not only to impact knowledge in the citizens and students you are going to teach, but also to represent Nigeria,” Dr. Yakub said.
“All they see is Nigeria. So, all your conduct is Nigeria. If you do well, then the name of Nigeria will be there in a good light.”
The NTAC Director-General urged the volunteers to learn from the achievements of previous Nigerian experts who had attained senior positions in their host countries, including Vice-Chancellors and Deputy Vice-Chancellors.
He also assured the volunteers of government support for their welfare, including allowances and air tickets, while noting that the Nigerian Embassy in Rwanda would provide support throughout their assignments.
Dr. Yakub further disclosed that Nigeria was developing a new phase of labour export involving the deployment of skilled Nigerian professionals abroad for a fee, with Jamaica and Thailand among countries involved in the emerging initiative.
He said the initiative would create dignified employment opportunities, reduce illegal migration and unemployment among young Nigerians, while positioning the country as an exporter of skilled human resources.
The Director of Programmes, NTAC, Ambassador Bello Jaye, urged the volunteers to approach their assignments with seriousness and professionalism, while team leads Prof. Abdul-Azeez Isiaka Adeyemi and Dr Idris Muhammad Ladan pledged that the volunteers would represent Nigeria positively.
The 18 volunteers are expected to take up assignments at the Catholic University of Rwanda and Protestant University of Rwanda after completing the necessary deployment arrangements.
