Foreign news
NTAC DG Lauds President Tinubu on Partnership With Caribbean Countries As The Agency Deploys Volunteers To Jamaica
By Joel Ajayi
The Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for strengthening Nigeria’s ties with Caribbean nations, particularly through his ongoing visit to St. Lucia.
Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja during the deployment ceremony of four skilled Nigerian volunteers to Jamaica, the DG, represented by Ambassador Saidu D. Mohammad, Deputy Director, Administration at NTAC, highlighted the move as part of President Tinubu’s commitment to deepening South-South Cooperation and fostering strong bilateral relationships with sister nations.
The deployment aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and underscores Nigeria’s strategic use of Technical Diplomacy to promote development partnerships, extend support to allied nations, and project the country’s soft power globally.
Amb. Mohammad, while addressing the outgoing volunteers, urged them to serve as exemplary ambassadors of the country and uphold the values, dignity, and integrity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria throughout their assignment in Jamaica.
> “This deployment is not just a routine exercise but a key element of Nigeria’s foreign policy, reinforcing our image as a dependable development partner,” he stated.
In a moment of solemn reflection, Amb. Mohammad expressed condolences on behalf of the DG and NTAC management over the recent passing of one of the prospective volunteers who was meant to be part of the current batch. A minute of silence was observed in honour of the deceased.
The Four Volunteers Deployed to Jamaica Include:
Dr. Umar Nda Jibril – Specialty: Nursing
Gbenga-Ige Omobolola Victoria – Specialty: Clinical Nursing
Alu Ashegi David – Specialty: Public Health Education
Dr. Chukwudi Ndu – Specialty: Psychiatry
Amb. Mohammad emphasized the critical nature of their mission, describing them as “real-time ambassadors of Nigeria” to Jamaica and the wider Caribbean and Americas. He charged them to carve a niche for themselves through their professionalism and exemplary conduct, setting a benchmark for future volunteers.
Dr. Chukwudi Ndu, the Team Lead and a Ph.D. holder in Nursing, expressed gratitude to NTAC for the opportunity and pledged the team’s dedication to service, national pride, and excellence.
“We are honoured to represent Nigeria and committed to making meaningful contributions that will reflect the best of our country,” he said.
The volunteers will spend two years in Jamaica, offering their expertise in healthcare and education, while promoting Nigeria’s values, culture, and foreign policy interests.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Feyintola Adebowale, Assistant Director of Programmes, reiterated the importance of dedication, patriotism, and professionalism.
He stressed that the volunteers’ service would deepen bilateral relations and foster mutual respect between Nigeria and Jamaica.
About NTAC: The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) is an agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, established in 1987 to promote Nigeria’s soft power diplomacy.
It achieves this by deploying qualified professionals to African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries. To date, NTAC has deployed over 10,000 volunteers to more than 40 countries, contributing significantly to their socio-economic development.
The ceremony was attended by senior NTAC officials, Foreign Service Officers, and other staff of the agency.
Foreign news
Pakistan Moves to Deepen Diplomatic, Economic Relations With Nigeria
The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has called for deeper diplomatic and economic ties with the Nigerian government to foster development for both countries.
Mr Rana Ihsaan, the Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during his working vist to Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja.
NAN reports that the visiting Coordinator held a closed-door meeting with Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
After the meeting, he said that both both sides had agreed on deepening relations in the areas of trade and commerce, among others.
Ihsaan said that both countries must see the need to accelerate efforts towards a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
He said that Pakistan had already submitted a draft BTA and was awaiting Nigeria’s response.
According to him, discussions centered on easing visa processes, expanding educational exchanges, and strengthening Cooperation in sectors such as Minerals, Youth training, and Defence were highlighted.
Ihsaan said that Pakistan had already implemented visa-on-arrival for Nigerians at no cost, and urged Nigeria to reciprocate to enhance people-to-people ties.
He stressed the importance of high-level engagements between both nations, describing Nigeria and Pakistan as very similar countries with large populations, youthful demographics, and vast economic potentials.
“Deeper collaboration will unlock opportunities in trade, education and investment, while further solidifying long-standing diplomatic relations,” he said.
He said that aside from visiting the foriegn Minister and other top government officials in Nigeria, he was also in the country to attend the on-going West Africa Beauty Exhibition holding in Lagos.
He described the exhibition as one of the continent’s largest cosmetic fairs, adding that he led a delegation of 19 Pakistani business people exploring Nigeria’s estimated 10 million dollar beauty and cosmetics market.
Ihsaan said that Nigeria was a gateway to Africa, adding that Pakistani products, like cosmetics, Textiles, Pharmaceuticals, Food items and Sports goods were already gaining traction in the country.
He encouraged Pakistani exhibitors to establish offices, Warehouses and logistics partnerships to strengthen their foothold in the Nigerian market.
Ihsaan further addressed concerns from Nigerian businesses on the ease of doing business in Pakistan.
He said that the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan had been supporting Nigerian participants at major exhibitions to achieve the ease of doing business.
“The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) serves as a one-stop platform for Nigerians interested in investing in Pakistan,” he said
Culled from NAN
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