*Pledges to Partner with Mentees of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI) Fellowship Programme for Broader Promotion of their Skills and Expertise

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, Rt.Hon.Yusuf Buba Yakub has identified Nigeria’s youthful population as an asset and labour force that can drive the entire global economy and development.He said it was the strength of the country that has aided its contributions to the development of other parts of the globe in diverse areas of life, using technical manpower assistance.

Buba,who stated the above over the weekend at the ongoing 2025 edition of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI) Fellowship Programme in Abuja,also added that Nigeria possesses an active population of young people that are not only energetic,but skillful and highly productive.This population,he reiterated,has continued to leverage their various competencies and skills to serve the world greatly in all fields of human endeavour.

Represented at the event by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity,Nkem Anyata-Lafia,the NTAC boss took his audience through the establishment of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps and informed of the many strides Nigerians continue to make through service to humanity in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific countries; all of which,he insisted,were aimed at driving Nigeria’s soft power diplomacy.

“Across the world,the concept of soft power diplomacy is mainly exemplified in the quest by nations of the world to attract friendship and respect and to win influence by every means other than coercion.

“Through sports,music,films,our clothing and,indeed,by other diverse kinds of service like volunteering in education, engineering,health management and development mediation, Nigeria has continued to deepen its influence, respect and friendship across the world.
Today, Volunteers of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC),with the constant support of our dear President and father,have supported the African,Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) States in their developmental strides, including being Vice Chancellors of Universities and highly placed officials of government.This commitment has caused these countries to identify with Nigeria whenever there is need to do so globally.

“All of this has helped in ensuring that our citizens, like Okonjo-Iweala of the World Trade Organization,Amina Mohammed of the United Nations,Dr.Akinwunmi Adesina of the African Development Bank and many other Nigerian-born global actors are constantly supported to emerge leaders of multilateral organizations any time the opportunity to bring in these leaders arises.

“On their own,our Volunteers and experts achieve a wide range of benefits each time they leave the shores of our nation to practise their act for two years and return.They return more experienced and equipped to favourably compete with their fellow professionals anywhere in the world.This, in turn, contributes to national pride, development and the empowerment of the individual professionals and those who depend on them,”the NTAC DG revealed.

Earlier,while welcoming resource persons, including Dr.Ochogwu Joseph Ochogwu,DG, Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution,an Agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,and the Senior Special Assistant (Central Delivery Unit) to the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs,Mrs Simi Fajemirokun,to the event,Dr.Dapo Oyewole,Senior Special Assistant to the President on International Co-operation and Secretary, Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL),lauded the partnership of the NTAC and the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI) from the inception of the body.He added that the NTAC DG had used his time and other resources to promote the activities of the group and to turn around the Agency to the benefits of all Nigerians.

Dr.Ochogwu,who spoke on the peace-keeping and other mediation efforts of Nigeria across time, highlighted the benefits of such efforts, while noting their monetary costs.He also praised such commitment and selfness to the progress of the world and the preservation of mankind by Nigeria.

Also brought to the fore was the success story of the hosting of the recently held West Africa Economic Summit (WAES),headed by Mrs Fajemirokun. The event,which was considered second to none in organisation and impacts,also provided an opportunity for Agencies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to showcase their support to the Ministry and their service to the world.

The event concluded with glowing tributes to the Founder/Initiator of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI),Rt. Hon.Femi Gbajabiamila,Chief of Staff to Mr.President and Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives,who in the past few years has continued to avail of diverse personal resources to engage one Nigerian youth from every State of Nigeria and the FCT each year for participation in the 3-week training and leadership mentorship of the LMI in Abuja.

This year’s Mentees,which were selected from over 7000 applicants between the ages of 21-35,is intended to build the capacities of young Nigerians for public-sector service and leadership, especially in the Legislature.

*Please,see some pictures from the event.

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