03
Jul
Jul
NIGERIA DEPLOYS EXPERTS TO OECS COUNTRIES, SIGNS TECHNICAL MANPOWER ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT WITH SAINT LUCIA
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CapitalTimesNews / 1 week
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Nigeria has signed a Technical Manpower Assistance agreement with Saint Lucia, outlining modalities for deploying skilled Nigerian professionals to the eastern Caribbean Island. The agreement was signed by Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, on behalf of Nigeria, and Janelle Modeste-Stephen, the Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation and Diaspora Affairs, on behalf of Saint Lucia. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub described the agreement as “a great achievement,” marking a key step in implementing President Bola Tinubu’s vision of strengthened bilateral and regional partnerships. Yakub said the agreement allows Nigeria to send expert volunteers, including teachers, medical professionals, agriculturists, and others, who will serve for two years in the host countries. The Nigerian government will be responsible for the volunteers’ allowances and logistics, while the host countries will provide accommodation and local support. Yakub revealed that over 300 Nigerian professionals have been deployed across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific since the inception of the current administration in May 2023. Yakub said, “Since my appointment in August, we’ve deployed volunteers to Liberia, Sierra Leone, Jamaica, and other African nations. This programme was nearly dormant, but Mr. President revived it with his strong foreign policy vision.” He added that further engagements are ongoing with Belize, the Dominican Republic, and the Director-General of the OECS to establish a regional framework for technical assistance. The Director-General noted that the TAC initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s 4D foreign policy: Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography. “We are exporting Nigeria’s human capital with dignity, creating opportunities for our people, and reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership across the Global South,” Yakub said. “One of our volunteers in Jamaica popularised Adire (Yoruba fabric design), which has become so popular that Jamaicans now produce it locally, calling it Jadire. They even export it to the United States,” he added. Yakub also disclosed that Jamaica has formally requested 400 experts, who are willing to pay, instead of importing labour from Asia. “Right now, we are deploying volunteers to Jamaica. Some are already there, and others will fly out tomorrow from Abuja. Four nurses will depart for Jamaica tomorrow. Additionally, six medical doctors are scheduled to leave for Grenada on July 9th,” he said.