Nigerian volunteers to assist in health & education
A total of nineteen Nigerian volunteers under the Technical Aid Corps program are currently in the country to provide professional assistance in the health and education sectors, among others. (Photo: High Commissioner HE Eyo Asuquo admonishing the volunteers)
The volunteers who were officially presented last Friday to the Nigerian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, HE Eyo Asuquo comprise of teachers, nurse,’ and laboratory technicians.
Presenting the volunteers, TAC Director, Donald Ekeruche stated that the program has been in existence for over 25 years since independence; aid and technical assistance have been at the core of Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives. TAC began in 1987 to complement direct financial aid from Nigeria to Caribbean and Pacific countries through skills exchange towards strengthening international understanding and cooperation.
He said the TAC program is meant to give technical assistance to APC countries that are in need of help, adding that the program is only for university graduates in Nigeria.
“We send our volunteers based on the areas of need as requested by the countries. I want to make it clear that these volunteers received allowances from the Nigerian government. They are here to offer free services and not to make money. Sierra Leone has benefited from TAC since its inception,” he said, and added that the nineteen volunteers are the first among a total of fifty that will be in the country to assist.
Mr. Ekeruche implored Sierra Leoneans to provide the volunteers the necessary support needed to be able to do their work more effectively and efficiently.
In his brief statement, HE Eyo Asuquo welcomed the volunteers to the country, and stated that they are in the country not as masters but as servants.
“You are here as volunteers to help in improving our foreign policy. You are ambassadors in your own right. Sierra Leone is very much appreciative of our technical assistance,” he said.
He added that the volunteers are not in the country to take away jobs from the citizens but to give technical assistance in the health and education sectors among others.
High Commissioner Asuquo opined that the Technical Aid Corps Program is a formidable instruments which they use to tell the world who they are, while commending the present government for their wonderful job in improving the country.
It is worthy to recall that between 2009 to January 2010 a total of 80 TAC volunteers, three are medical doctors, a pharmacist, 14 lecturers, 30 nurses and 32 teachers had been deployed in every part of Sierra Leone.
Fidelis Adele
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