News

Technical Aid Corps DG Hails Tinubu’s Foreign Policy as Grenada Deployment Begins

Published

3 months ago

July 28, 2025

…Urges Deployed Volunteers to Be Good Ambassadors of Nigeria

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support towards strengthening Nigeria’s bilateral relations with Caribbean nations, following the deployment of four Technical Aid Corps Volunteers to Grenada.

In a statement released Monday in Abuja by the Head of Information and Public Relations at NTAC, Ojo Adetoun Olubunmi, the DG emphasized that the deployment aligns with President Tinubu’s directive following his recent state visit to Saint Lucia, where he pledged Nigeria’s technical support to East Caribbean nations.

“Today, we are deploying Volunteers to Grenada, one of the Eastern Caribbean countries. You will recall that Mr. President, during his visit to Saint Lucia, met with the Prime Ministers of the region and committed to providing technical assistance to them. This deployment is in fulfillment of that promise,” Buba stated.

He commended President Tinubu’s visionary 4-D Foreign Policy Initiative, which he said is actively shaping Nigeria’s global image and enhancing South-South cooperation. “The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, fully sponsored by Mr. President, is deploying professionals across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. These deployments are positively raising Nigeria’s profile internationally,” he added.

Speaking at the deployment ceremony held at the NTAC headquarters in Abuja, the DG congratulated the Volunteers on their selection and urged them to carry the spirit of humanitarianism and professionalism to Grenada. “The Grenadian people are our brothers and sisters; serve them with dedication and integrity,” he charged.

Buba highlighted Nigeria’s long-standing commitment to technical diplomacy, noting that the TAC Scheme was established 38 years ago and has since deployed over 10,000 volunteers to more than 40 countries. “You are leaving your comfort zone to serve another nation. Nigeria is proud of your sacrifice,” he said.

He assured the Volunteers of the Agency’s full support throughout their two-year mission, covering airfare, allowances, and welfare as stipulated in the Country Agreement. He also noted that accommodation, local transportation, and utilities will be provided by the host country.

The DG further informed the Volunteers that the Nigerian Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago will oversee their welfare during their stay, encouraging them to report any issues through proper diplomatic channels for prompt resolution.

In his closing remarks, Buba wished the Volunteers a successful mission and encouraged them to return home enriched with experience to contribute to national development.

Earlier, the Director of Programmes at NTAC, Amb. Zakari Usman, praised the DG’s dedication to the success of the Grenada deployment and lauded the Volunteers for their readiness to serve.

Speaking on behalf of the team, Dr. Esala E. Abene expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu and the Nigerian government for the opportunity to represent the country abroad. He pledged to uphold high standards of professionalism and contribute meaningfully to strengthening Nigeria–Grenada relations.

The deployed Volunteers include specialist medical doctors and other health professionals, reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to technical aid, diplomacy, and humanitarian service across the globe.

Share on Facebook

News

Imo Auto Parts Dealer Runs Abroad to Escape Bandit Attacks

Published

52 mins ago

November 3, 2025

The Gleamer

An automobile parts dealer, Mr Ifeanyi Kingsley Iwuagwu, has fled Nigeria to save his life after a series of deadly attacks by bandits on his community in Imo State.

Iwuagwu, who left the country in January this year, said he was forced to seek refuge abroad following repeated violent raids that claimed several lives and left properties in ruins.

The young entrepreneur, a native of the Okigwe axis of Imo State, recounted how relentless assaults by armed men transformed his once peaceful village into a war zone. “I had no choice but to leave,” he told AljazirahNigeria Newspapers. “It became a matter of life and death. Remaining there would have meant waiting for the next attack.”

As the only son of an aged mother who depends entirely on him for her welfare, Iwuagwu said leaving her behind was the most agonising decision he has ever made. His mother now lives in constant fear and uncertainty.

“It breaks my heart to be far from her,” he lamented. “But I had to leave to stay alive, with the hope of bringing her to safety one day.”

In recent years, many residents of rural communities in Imo State have faced escalating threats from bandits and criminal gangs, forcing some to abandon their homes and even seek refuge overseas.

For Iwuagwu, the decisive moment came on 20 November 2024, when his shop in Amiagbo, Nwangele Local Government Area, was looted and set ablaze. “That was the day I finally decided to follow the path of some of my colleagues who had already fled abroad,” he explained. “There is no safe place in Nigeria anymore. We keep hearing reports of kidnappings, banditry, herdsmen invasions, and terrorist attacks across all six geopolitical zones—no one knows where will be next.”

Security experts and community leaders have continued to urge the government to provide greater protection for defenceless communities and address the root causes of insecurity in the South East.

For Iwuagwu, survival remains his foremost concern. “All I want is peace and the chance to live without fear,” he said. “No one should have to abandon their home just to stay alive.”

The South-East geopolitical region of Nigeria has in recent years become a flashpoint of violence, with numerous deaths and widespread destruction of businesses and property. Many residents have fled their ancestral lands in search of both safety and livelihoods.

According to Amnesty International, approximately 1,844 people were killed in the South East by both state and non-state actors between January 2021 and June 2023.

The organisation’s Director, Isa Sanusi, disclosed this during the presentation of a report and campaign launch against insecurity in the region, titled “A Decade of Impunity: Attacks and Unlawful Killings in South East”, held on 7 October.

Many Nigerians are now placing renewed hope in the recently appointed service chiefs by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, praying that their tenure will bring lasting peace and restore public confidence in the nation’s security architecture.

Share on Facebook