LAGOS—Only 62 of the 150,000 applicants for this year’s Federal Government’s Technical Aid Corp volunteer programme, were selected, Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb. Olu Adeniji, has said.
Speaking at the Presidential wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, with the volunteers shortly before they left for The Gambia on Tuesday night. Amb. Adeniji, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Amb. Nwadibia Anyanwu, said the 62 volunteers were picked through a painstaking elimination processes.
He said the programme was the result of the sound bilateral relations between Nigeria and The Gambia.
Adeniji charged the volunteers: “Being a Technical Aid Corp volunteer makes you an ambassador of Nigeria, a serious responsibility.
“Your task requires of you to strengthen the ties of friendship between Nigeria and The Gambia. You must, therefore, carry out your responsibility with dedication and unquestionable loyalty. Don’t tarnish the image Nigeria has built over the years in West Africa, Africa and the world over.” He asked the volunteers to emulate the sterling qualities of their predecessors who received commendations after their two years stint in The Gambia.
Also speaking at the interaction session, The Gambia High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Momodu Jallo, implored the volunteers to work for the good of his country and Nigeria.
According to him, the Technical Aid Corp is a symbolism of the co-operation and interaction between Nigeria and The Gambia, which represents the long years of bilateral relations between both countries. Amb. Jallo enjoined them to steer clear of the local politics of The Gambia in order to leave behind a lasting impression.
“You must be versatile, be able to lead and be led. You must be friendly and accessible, but please do not play local politics,” said Jallo, who expressed the appreciation of his home government to the Federal Government for the assistance rendered his country through the service.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Director and Chief Executive Officer of the TAC, Amb. Mamman Daura, told the gathering that no fewer than 18 countries had benefitted from the TAC since its inception in 1987.
According to him, President Olusegun is also currently considering the requests of several other countries seeking to benefit from the programme.
He listed such African, Carribean and Pacific (ACP) countries as Sierra Leone, Benin Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Niger Republic, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Mozambique, The Seychelles, Fiji Islands, Sao Tome and Principe, Belize and Commonwealth of Dominica as countries that have benefitted from the programme.
