The Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (TAC), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, has reiterated his call for Nigerian youth to embrace dialogue instead of participating in a nationwide protest planned to commence on August 1. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, Buba emphasized the significant achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in its first year, urging citizens to support the government’s efforts.
Buba highlighted President Tinubu’s decisive actions, including the removal of petroleum subsidies and the floating of the Naira, which he said have closed financial loopholes and saved Nigeria over N6 trillion.
He also noted the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock to address farmer-herder conflicts, the implementation of a new minimum wage, and the introduction of scholarship schemes and state palliatives.
“We recognize the right to protest, but we have a President who listens and acts on the nation’s concerns. Protests should be a last resort when the government is unresponsive, which is not the case here,” Buba stated. He expressed concerns that peaceful protests could be hijacked by miscreants, leading to violence and destruction, and urged the youth to engage in constructive dialogue instead.
At the event, Buba also oversaw the deployment of 17 medical professionals to Guinea-Bissau as part of the TAC program. He urged the volunteers to uphold Nigeria’s image by respecting the laws of their host country and contributing positively during their 24-month service. The TAC Scheme, in place for 37 years, has been a vital component of Nigeria’s foreign policy, fostering goodwill across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
Dr. Mansur Aliyu Ramanan, the team leader and a general practitioner, expressed gratitude on behalf of the volunteers, praising the TAC for its commitment to national vision. Other volunteers, including Mr. Mannasah Michael and Ms. Abai Edidiong Michael, shared their dedication to serving humanity and promoting Nigeria’s positive image abroad.
The event was attended by notable figures, including TAC Director of Programmes Amb. Zakari Usman, former Director of Programmes Amb. Mohammed Kangiwa, and other senior officials from the agency.
