During a pre-departure orientation ceremony, Director General of NTAC, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for its unwavering support in providing technical manpower to African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries. Represented by Amb. Zakari Usman, Director of Programmes at NTAC, Buba emphasized the importance of equitable development across ACP nations and commended the selected volunteers for their dedication.
Buba urged the volunteers to view their recruitment as a humanitarian mission to improve global well-being and address environmental challenges. He highlighted the national significance of the scheme and cautioned volunteers against any actions that could undermine its objectives.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Professor Clement Gboyega Afolabi, a Plant Pathology expert from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent Nigeria. Afolabi praised the transparent selection process and vowed that the volunteers would uphold Nigeria’s reputation in Uganda.
Dr. Usman Bature Isyaku from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University’s Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Dr. Peter Chika Uzomba from the Department of Economics at Federal University, Lokoja, also lauded the NTAC scheme. They emphasized the alignment of the scheme with their academic duties of teaching, research, and community service.
The event was attended by Amb. Mohammed Shehu Kangiwa, former Director of Programmes at NTAC; Mr. Lawandy Bala, Special Assistant on Protocol Matters to the NTAC DG; Mr. James Dung Pam, a Senior Counselor at NTAC; and various officials and staff members.
