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Democracy Day: Be committed to developmental strides, NANS charges govt.

Published

7 years ago

June 12, 2019

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has joined Nigerians to celebrate the democracy day, while charging government at all levels to be committed to the developmental strides in the country.

Mr Danielson Akpan, National President of NANS made the change in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

Akpan noted that infrastructural development, institutional strengthening, human and capacity building, healthcare, security and most importantly education should be the focus of the government to achieve a democratically stable nation.

He pleaded with the Federal Government to make available more funds for the advancement of the education sector of the country.

According to him, on this democracy day celebration, I call on all leaders, who are beneficiaries of the long struggle for democratic governance to see it as service to the people, not for self.

“The Federal and state government should be committed to development in all facets. Infrastructural development, institutional strengthening, human and capacity building, healthcare, security and most importantly education.

“In this new dispensation, more funds should be committed to education. Not less than 15 per cent should be captured for education in all budgetary allocations.

“This is the best that can be given to Nigerians and project for a future our founding fathers planned for Nigeria.

Akpan, however, congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari, governors and legislators that have been saddled with the responsibilities of piloting Nigeria in this new dispensation while charging them to uphold integrity and transparency across all divides.

Meanwhile, the National Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the association, Mr Adeyemi Azeez, called on Buhari to declare MKO Abiola as a former president of Nigeria

Azeez also said the rigths in cash, asset and honour to MKO family should be paid, as this would no doubt go alongway in bringing joy and satisfaction to the bereaved family.

“NANS describes this declaration as a great honour to Nigerians and the fallen heroes whom had paid the maximum sacrifice(life) in sustaining the country’s hard earned democracy.

“NANS hereby calls on president Muhammadu Buhari to declare late Moshood Kashimawo Abiola as a former president of Nigeria, thereby pay all rigths in cash,asset and honour to M.K.O’s family.

Azeez therefore said that the association had frowned at the state of education in Nigeria, while calling on governors of states respectively to emmulate their counterpart in Ogun state, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

He said this should be done by the governors declaring a state of emergency on education in there states respectively.

He commended the service chiefs for the reduction in the rate of kidnapping and bombing, while imploring them not to relent in making Nigeria a crime secured country, for bussiness and development to thrive smoothly.

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NTAC Celebrates Seven Returnees, Applauds Contributions to Uganda’s Academic Sector

Published

9 hours ago

November 2, 2026

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) has welcomed seven Nigerian volunteers who successfully completed their two-year assignments at Makerere University, Uganda, commending their dedication, professionalism and contributions to academic development and international cooperation.

The volunteers were received on Monday, November 2, 2026, during a debriefing exercise held at the NTAC Complex in Abuja, where they shared their experiences, achievements and challenges during their service under the Federal Government’s Technical Aid Corps Scheme.

In a statement issued by the Head of Information and Public Relations, NTAC, Ojo Adetoun Olubunmi, the exercise was designed to assess the volunteers’ performance, review their experiences and explore ways of translating the knowledge and expertise acquired abroad into meaningful contributions to their respective institutions and Nigeria.

Speaking on behalf of the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NTAC, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, the Assistant Director, Programme 11, Mr Felix Obidi, congratulated the returnees on the successful completion of their assignments.

Obidi commended their commitment, professional conduct and exemplary service, noting that their contributions had helped project Nigeria positively in the international community.

Describing the returnees as veterans of the Technical Aid Corps Scheme, he urged them to deploy the knowledge, skills and international exposure acquired at Makerere University to improve their institutions and contribute to national development.

He likened their international experience to that of fishes that had explored wider waters, stressing that their exposure should distinguish them professionally and intellectually.

“You are no longer just returning volunteers; you are veterans of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps. We expect you to bring back the knowledge and experience you have acquired at Makerere University and share them with your respective institutions. You are foreign fishes, and we expect more from you,” he said.

Obidi assured the volunteers that their expertise would continue to be valuable to NTAC and the country, while appreciating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his sustained support for the Scheme.

He also acknowledged the contributions of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, towards sustaining the programme.

Similarly, the representative of the Director of Programmes, Senior Counsellor Mrs Hauwa Arabu Mustafa, congratulated the returnees and commended their contributions to academic development and the promotion of South-South cooperation.

Speaking on behalf of the returning volunteers, their team leader, Prof. Abdul Anakobe Isah, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and NTAC for providing them with the opportunity to serve at Makerere University.

He described the assignment as a rewarding professional experience and praised the university’s management and staff for their hospitality, cooperation, professional support and provision of adequate teaching and learning facilities.

However, he identified some accommodation-related challenges encountered during their two-year assignment.

One of the returning volunteers, Prof. Alo Oluwaseun Olubisi, highlighted her achievements, including securing a Research and Innovation Grant at Makerere University.

She explained that although she initially doubted her eligibility because she was a Nigerian, encouragement from her Head of Department prompted her to apply, eventually leading to a successful grant award.

Olubisi said the assignment significantly improved her teaching methodologies, lecture preparation and delivery while providing opportunities for professional development and research collaboration.

She also disclosed that she facilitated a Memorandum of Understanding between Makerere University and her home institution in Nigeria, noting that the partnership had reached an advanced stage.

The debriefing provided an opportunity for the returning volunteers to present their experiences, achievements, challenges and recommendations, which NTAC said would serve as valuable input towards improving the implementation of the Technical Aid Corps Scheme.

The event also featured the presentation of certificates of service to the returning volunteers in recognition of their successful completion of the assignment.

Established in 1987, the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps is a key instrument of Nigeria’s foreign policy and South-South cooperation, deploying skilled Nigerian professionals to countries across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific to provide technical assistance, promote knowledge exchange and strengthen international partnerships.

With more than 10,000 Nigerian professionals deployed to beneficiary countries over the years, the Scheme continues to demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to human capital development, international cooperation and the use of professional expertise as an instrument of development diplomacy.

The successful completion of the Makerere University assignment by the seven volunteers further underscores the importance of the Scheme in fostering professional exchange, strengthening institutional partnerships and ensuring that international exposure translates into tangible benefits for Nigeria’s development.

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