The Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (TAC), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub has called on TAC volunteers to adhere to the laws of their host countries strictly.
The call was made yesterday in Abuja during the deployment ceremony of 18 volunteers to Sierra Leone.
Emphasizing the importance of this adherence, Yakub stated that by respecting host country laws, Nigeria will continue to garner respect and admiration internationally.
He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continuous support of the 37-year-old programme since assuming office in 2023.
Yakub reminded the volunteers that they are ambassadors of Nigeria and are expected to exhibit the highest standards of discipline, decorum, and obedience to constituted authorities.
He noted that the Technical Aid Corps was established 37 years ago to advance Nigeria’s foreign policy goals by deploying technical support to African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries.
His words: “Over the years, the Corps has deployed over 35,000 professionals and experts in various fields to these countries.
“The Government of Nigeria places great interest and value on this foreign policy tool.
“You go out there with our official passports, and just as our Ambassadors, you are expected never to do the don’ts of the country in which you are going to serve.
“You must keep in mind that what you are involved in is volunteer service. So, no matter the luxury of your home, if you are quartered in a one-room apartment, do not forget what took you there.”
He praised past volunteers for their dignity and honour and expressed confidence that the new volunteers would uphold the same standards.
He also emphasized that the Nigerian High Commission in Sierra Leone would be the volunteers’ guardian, while the TAC headquarters would continue to provide parental oversight.
Volunteers were urged to follow the rules outlined in the Country Agreement and the tripartite agreement between the Federal Government, TAC, and the Government of Sierra Leone.
Amb. Zakari Usman, Director of Programmes in the Agency, also spoke during the ceremony, explaining that the new volunteers had arrived from across the country and undergone various preparatory processes. He thanked the DG for his support in ensuring a smooth deployment process.
The first batch of volunteers to Sierra Leone includes experienced nurses and medical doctors who have served in various Nigerian communities and public institutions.
The volunteers expressed their readiness to commit to the ideals of the TAC mandate and make Nigeria proud through hard work and obedience to the authorities of their host country.
This deployment follows recent deployments to The Gambia and Uganda, with more scheduled for other ACP countries in the coming weeks.