By Maureen Okon
The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) says Nigeria’s youthful population and labour force are assets that can drive global economy and development.
Dr Yusuf Yakub, the Director-General of of NTAC said this at the 2025 edition of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI) Fellowship Programme in Abuja on Monday.
Yakub said that Nigeria possessed an active population of young people that are not only energetic, but skillful and productive
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 4th Cohort of the LMI training was scheduled to run as a residential programme in Abuja from Nov.10th to Nov. 29th.
The NTAC DG was represented by Mr Nkem Anyata-Lafia, his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity.
He expressed commitment to partner with the Mentees to harness a broader actualisation of their skills and expertise.
Yakub said that the human capital strength that Nigeria possessed had aided its contributions to the development of other parts of the globe through the Technical Aid Corps (TAC) Scheme as a tool for assistance.
He said that the population had continued to leverage its various competencies and skills to serve the world greatly in all fields of human endeavour.
He gave an account of what the establishment of NTAC has achieved and the many strides Nigerians continue to make through the service to humanity in Africa, Caribbean, and the Pacific (ACP) countries.
According to him, this is all aimed at driving the Nigerian soft power diplomacy.
“Across the world, the concept of soft power diplomacy is mainly exemplified in the quest by nations of the world to attract friendship and respect.
“The aim is to win influence by every means other than coercion, through sports,music,films, our clothing and, indeed, by other diverse services,” he said.
Dr Dapo Oyewole, Senior Special Assistant to the President on International Co-operation, lauded the partnership between NTAC and the LMI since the inception of the body
Oyewole is also the Secretary, Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL).
He said that the NTAC Director-General had used his time and other resources to promote the activities of the group and to turn around the agency to the benefits of all Nigerians.
Dr Ochogwu Ochogwu, Director-General, Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution, spoke on the peace-keeping and other mediation efforts of Nigeria across time.
He highlighted the benefits of such efforts while noting their monetary costs.
He also praised Nigeria’s commitment and selflessness to the progress of the world and the preservation of mankind.
The participants commended Founder/Initiator of LMI, Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman
