News Investigators/ The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) has commended President Bola Tinubu on the successful signing of a Technical Manpower Assistance agreement with the government of Saint Lucia.
The Director-General of NTAC, Yusuf Yakub, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by Ojo Olubunmi, Head of Information/Public Relations of NTAC, against the backdrop of the congratulatory message to Tinubu.
According to him, the milestone reached is a direct outcome of President Tinubu’s vision centered on expanding Nigeria’s Technical Diplomacy across the larger Caribbean region through the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
The director-general in the statement revealed Janelle Modeste-Stephen, Acting Permanent Secretary of Saint Lucia’s Ministry of External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation and Diaspora Affairs, had established a partnership to deepen ties between both parties.
He explained the partnership to be based on an agreement signed in Castries, Saint Lucia’s capital, to pave the way for Nigerian professionals, including Teachers, Medical Experts, Agriculturists, and other Experts/Professionals as required.
Also that the experts and professionals are to serve in Saint Lucia for two years, to promote the South-South cooperation and reconnect with the African diaspora.
Highlights of the agreement were the deployment of Nigerian Experts to the country and Nigerian professionals to serve in Saint Lucia for two years, and contribute their skills and expertise to the growth of the host country.
Others entail that the Nigerian government would cover allowances and logistics for the deployed volunteers, while Saint Lucia will provide accommodation and local support.
Mr Yakub said, ”This landmark agreement is a testament to President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to South-South cooperation and Nigeria’s role as a leader in Technical Diplomacy.
“We look forward to our volunteers making a lasting impact in Saint Lucia and strengthening the bonds between our nations.”
He further commended President Tinubu’s leadership and commitment to promoting South-South cooperation, saying the agreement reached demonstrated Nigeria’s dedication to sharing its expertise and resources with partner nations.
He revealed the Federal Government had deployed four Technical Aid Volunteers Specialist Nurses to Jamaica as a soft power diplomacy to bridge both educational and professional gaps.
This, according to him, is in line with the cooperation that Nigeria initiated through the NTAC in 1987 to promote the South-South cooperation of Nigeria to Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific countries.
NAN
