The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) said it’s deploying 35 medical professionals to Zanzibar, Tanzania, to bridge both the educational and professional gaps in that country.

The Director General (DG) of NTAC, Yusuf Yakub, speaking at the deployment of the professionals comprising nurses and doctors, said on Tuesday in Abuja that the exercise was in line with the mandate of the agency to send volunteers to African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries in need of professionals.

Mr Yakub said, “Today is a historic day for the corps and to honour the directive of President Bola Tinubu, using soft power diplomacy, the corps is sending 35 TAC volunteers to Zanzibar.”

Mr Yakub, a former House of Representatives member, lauded the president for the support he showed in enhancing Nigeria’s foreign policy to bridge the gaps in countries in need of professionals.

Also, as an agency that was saddled with the responsibility of promoting the soft power diplomacy of the country, the DG said, “We always run with the mandate of Mr President to achieve his four D-4 foreign policy initiatives.

He said, “NTAC, before its establishment in 1987, our leaders back then usually gave cash support to our sister nations within the ACP countries, but in 1987 the leaders decided to send our technical experts to these countries to help in enhancing diplomatic relations and cultural exchange. So, from 1987 to this day, I am proud to say that NTAC has achieved a lot, and we have deployed to over 40,000 countries and we have deployed over 10,000 experts to the ACP countries. This is a great achievement for our country, because on Saturday, when I was in The Gambia to attend a convocation, the President, Adama Barrow, was so proud and appreciative of the impact of Nigeria in his country. The vice chancellor of the only university in that country was a volunteer of the NTAC in 1999, and the second VC was also a volunteer. This is amongst other interventions done by NTAC in that country.’’

He added that in the spirit of South-South cooperation, it was imperative for fellow African brothers and underdeveloped countries to come together in bridging the gaps with whatever expertise they have to offer to their African brothers.

Speaking also, Paul Cornelius, who is the team lead for the 35 volunteers, lauded the federal government for the initiative to bridge the gaps in the ACP countries.

He pledged to do the country proud, assuring that the group would supersede the achievements of their predecessors in bringing glory to Nigeria.

Similarly, a paediatric nurse, Mohammed Ibrahim, expressed gratitude to God for being among the successful volunteers from the 10,000 entries.

He prayed that God would grant them the ability to do the needful as requested and to be good ambassadors of Nigeria while in their host community.

A registered nurse, Mary-Jane Okieze, said that it was an opportunity for all of the volunteers to go out there and show their skills and to also promote Nigeria in the host community.

She lauded the government through NTAC for the wonderful initiative and promised not to be found wanting in her task, adding that her job required caring for sick patients and she would be honoured to care for the sick in Zanzibar.

The Technical Aid Corps (TAC) professionals going to Zanzibar on primary assignment will be lecturing and filling the professional gaps in their places of assignment.

(NAN)