Foreign news

Returning Volunteers from Uganda Boost NTAC’s Technical Diplomacy Achievements

Published

4 months ago

May 26, 2026

Joel Ajayi
The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), an agency under the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Monday, 25th May 2026, formally received eleven (11) returning volunteers from the Republic of Uganda following the successful completion of their two-year Technical Assistance assignments in various institutions across the country.

In a statement Signed by Head, (Information & PR)Nigerian Technical Aid CorpsFederal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ojo A. Olubunmi, in Abuja stated that the volunteers were received during a debriefing and support session held at the NTAC Complex Conference Room, Abuja, as part of the Corps’ commitment to the welfare, monitoring, and reintegration of returning volunteers under the Technical Aid Corps Scheme.

The event was presided over by the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NTAC, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, alongside members of the management team and staff of the Corps.

Speaking during the reception, the Director-General appreciated President Bola, Ahmed Tinubu for enabling NTAC to function optimally since he came on board in 2023 and congratulated him on his win in the primary election conducted over the weekend.

He warmly welcomed the volunteers back to Nigeria and commended them for their patriotism, dedication, professionalism, and outstanding representation of the country while serving abroad.

Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub noted that many of the volunteers distinguished themselves through impactful service delivery, academic excellence, and professional contributions, earning awards, commendations, and recognition from both the Government of Uganda and their host institutions.

“As you return to your various institutions in Nigeria, I am confident that the exposure and experience gained during the assignment will positively distinguish you among your peers and further enhance your contributions to national development,”the Director-General stated.

He further observed that the achievements recorded by the volunteers reflect the growing strength and relevance of the Technical Aid Corps Scheme as one of Nigeria’s foremost instruments of soft power diplomacy and South-South Cooperation.

The Director-General also appreciated the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the NTAC management and staff, particularly the Department of Programmes, for their continued support, effective coordination, monitoring, and successful management of the volunteers throughout the duration of the assignment.

Speaking on behalf of the returning volunteers, the team lead, Prof. Yusuf Ali Zoaka, expressed profound appreciation to the Director-General, NTAC management, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Federal Government for providing a conducive and well-coordinated environment throughout their deployment in Uganda.

He highlighted the significant achievements recorded during the assignment, particularly in the area of academic and professional capacity building.

According to him, the volunteers supervised several Master’s and PhD candidates, supported newly established doctoral programmes, participated in academic development initiatives, and contributed immensely to the growth of their host institutions.

Prof. Zoaka further disclosed that some Ugandan institutions have already expressed interest in continued collaboration with the Nigerian scholars through future academic and professional engagements, owing to the remarkable impact made during the deployment.

The returning volunteers also appreciated the Federal Government for sustaining the Technical Aid Corps Scheme, which continues to strengthen Nigeria’s bilateral relations, promote Technical Cooperation, and project the country’s goodwill across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific (ACP) countries.

The reception and debriefing session underscore NTAC’s unwavering commitment to the welfare, professional development, and successful reintegration of its volunteers after overseas assignments.

Established as a flagship foreign policy initiative of the Federal Government, the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps Scheme remains a critical medium for promoting South-South Cooperation, international partnership, capacity building, and the export of Nigeria’s Technical expertise and Human Capital, to developing countries across the globe.

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Foreign news

Court of Arbitration Declares Indus Waters Treaty Fully Operational Rejects India’s ‘Abeyance’

Published

1 month ago

August 31, 2026

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

The Court of Arbitration has unanimously reaffirmed that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) remains fully in force, ruling that India cannot unilaterally place the 1960 agreement in “abeyance” or suspend its obligations under the treaty.

The decision represents a significant legal development in the longstanding dispute between India and Pakistan over the management and use of the Indus river system.

The Court’s finding addresses a fundamental issue at the heart of the dispute: whether either party can unilaterally suspend the treaty outside the legal framework agreed by both countries.

In its unanimous determination, the Court made clear that the IWT continues to bind both India and Pakistan and that its obligations cannot be set aside through a unilateral political declaration.

The ruling means India remains subject to the treaty provisions governing the use of the Western Rivers, including requirements relating to the design and operation of hydroelectric projects, as well as the dispute-resolution mechanisms established under the agreement.

The Court has also ordered interim measures concerning the Ratle Hydroelectric Plant, restricting specified construction activities while the broader dispute remains under consideration.

The measures are aimed at preserving the effectiveness of the arbitration process and preventing developments that could prejudice the outcome of the proceedings.

For Pakistan, the decision represents significant legal validation of its longstanding position that the IWT is a binding international agreement and contains no provision allowing either party to unilaterally place it in abeyance.

Pakistan has consistently maintained that disagreements over the treaty should be addressed through the institutional mechanisms established by the agreement, rather than through unilateral action.

The IWT provides a structured framework for resolving disputes through mechanisms including the Permanent Indus Commission, Neutral Expert and Court of Arbitration processes.

The latest ruling therefore reinforces the principle that treaty obligations cannot simply be disregarded because of deteriorating political relations between signatories.

The significance of the decision extends beyond the India-Pakistan dispute. It underscores the broader international-law principle that agreements governing shared rivers and other transboundary resources must be respected and disputes resolved through established legal and institutional channels.

The Indus river system supports agriculture, livelihoods, food security and communities across the region, making the stability of the treaty particularly important.

The ruling also highlights the distinction between seeking to amend an international agreement through mutually agreed procedures and attempting to alter its obligations unilaterally.

The IWT has endured wars, prolonged diplomatic tensions and periods of limited bilateral engagement. Its continued operation demonstrates the importance of rules-based mechanisms in managing shared resources when relations between neighbouring states become strained.

For Pakistan, the outcome provides an opportunity to frame the decision not merely as a bilateral legal victory, but as an affirmation of international law, treaty compliance and peaceful dispute resolution.

The central message from the ruling is clear: the Indus Waters Treaty remains in force, its obligations continue to bind both parties, and disputes concerning shared waters must be addressed through the legal mechanisms agreed by India and Pakistan.

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