Awards have been presented by the Government of Sierra Leone to the latest group of 10 Nigerian volunteers for their dedicated service.
These volunteers were deployed as part of the Technical Aid Corps program in December 2021 for a two-year non-renewable volunteer service.
The volunteers, representing various professions, were lauded by the Director General of Directorate of Technical Aid Corps, Yusuf Yakub, as exemplary ambassadors who brought pride to Nigeria with their actions.
According to Yakub, “In Sierra Leone, you were not there in your own capacity but you were there as Nigeria. Whatever you do in Sierra Leone, you are seen as Nigeria. So the people will judge Nigeria through what you have done.”
“Thank God that you have been judged well to the extent of receiving an award as the best set of volunteers that have ever served in that country and I am proud to say that we are very proud of you and I am sure that President Bola Tinubu who has a “4 D” foreign policy instruments, which I am sure you have covered about two or three of it during your volunteering services will be very proud of you as worthy, patriotic Nigerians that have been sent on assignment and have come back with a trophy.”
During the ceremony, Yakub handed certificates to the volunteers, emphasizing that “Nigeria will continue to deploy volunteers as part of the soft power diplomacy as it has brought about so many benefits to the country.”
The volunteers named Abdullahi Ulaira, Umar Baba, Jakada Bulus, Dachollom Chong, Izuka Nnaemeka, Adamu Omame, Bosindo Buluembelemere, Uchendu David, Madalla Aliyu, and Omorere Eunice received their awards and recognition.
Ms. Omorere, a nurse specializing in mental health, shared, “It has been a very pleasant experience. We arrived there, and we were well received. We were given a good reception and accommodated properly and we the volunteers did our best. We gave our best to the country.”
She added, “We did a lot up to the extent they recommended us and they even insisted we stay back. So I want to also use this opportunity to say thank you to Mr. President, to the DG TAC and to all the resource persons that assisted us during our stay in Sierra Leone, and returned to the country.”