The Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (TAC), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, has urged TAC Volunteers to strictly abide by the laws of their host countries. This directive was given during a ceremony in Abuja for the deployment of 18 Volunteers to Sierra Leone.
Emphasizing Nigeria’s role as a supportive nation, Yakub stated that compliance with local laws ensures that Nigeria continues to earn the respect and admiration of the host countries. He thanked President Tinubu for his unwavering support of the 37-year-old TAC program since his assumption of office in 2023.
Yakub highlighted the significance of the Volunteers’ roles as ambassadors of Nigeria, encouraging them to display discipline, decorum, and respect for local authorities. “The Technical Aid Corps was established 37 years ago as a flagship program for advancing our nation’s foreign policy through technical support to African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries. Over the past 37 years, we have deployed over 35,000 professionals and experts,” he said.
He reminded the Volunteers of their responsibilities and the importance of adhering to local customs and laws. “You must keep in mind that what you are involved in is volunteer service. So, no matter the opulence of your home, if you are quartered in a one-room apartment, do not forget what took you there,” Yakub added.
The DG assured the Volunteers that the Nigerian High Commission in Sierra Leone would serve as their guardian, and urged them to follow the rules outlined in the Country Agreement and the tripartite agreement between the Federal Government, TAC, and the Government of Sierra Leone.
Director of Programmes, Amb. Zakari Usman, who presented the Volunteers, noted their rigorous preparation and thanked the DG for his support in ensuring a seamless process.
The 18 health professionals, including experienced nurses and medical doctors, expressed their commitment to the TAC mandate and readiness to uphold Nigeria’s reputation through hard work and adherence to local regulations.
This deployment follows recent assignments of Volunteers to The Gambia and Uganda, with more deployments planned for other ACP countries in the coming weeks.
