Since the establishment of bilateral relationship between Nigerian and Sierra Leone, the Federal Government had deployed more than five hundred (500) Technical Aid Corps (TAC) volunteers in Sierra Leone.
Welcoming the TAC members at his High Commission, Chancery Building, Hill Cut Junction in Freetown, the Nigerian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Dr. Habiss Ibrahim Ugbada, said the volunteers are here to work in a peace and loving country.
He assured them that they would be given adequate protection by Sierra Leoneans in the different parts of the country they will be deployed.
He said the services the TAC members would render during their working stay in the country would be selfless, thus calling on them to make sure they put all their best and do their work diligently.
He further called on them to be law abiding at always.
He reminded them that they were not the first batch of medical practitioners that were coming to work in the country and that they will definitely not be the last batch.
He called on them to make sure they leave good image of themselves and that of Nigeria, their country.
He told them that the relationship between Nigeria and Sierra Leone in terms of technical aid corps has been in existence for many years now, noting that the previous batches of medical practitioners did play a vital role that promote the image of Nigeria and that of Sierra Leone.
“I want to tell you that the Nigerian High Commission is a home for all Nigerians living in this country. We are here to solve the problems of Nigerians and feel free to come at any time to visit or lodge complains if you have any issue,” he said.
He further admonished them not to do anything that will tarnish the image of Nigeria, noting that they should follow the rules and regulations of Sierra Leone and not to do contrary during the cause of their duty.
Also speaking, Lawal Bappah, Director of Programmes Directorate of Technical Aid Corps at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, admonished the medicos that they were coming to embark on a very important national assignment and called on them to put all their best in serving the people of Sierra Leone.
He said the medicos were supposed to be twenty in number but that only seventeen have arrived; adding that the remaining medicos will joined the others later as soon as possible.
Receiving the Nigerian TAC members on behalf of the Ministry of Health and the Government of Sierra Leone, Deputy Secretary of Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Philip D. Kargbo, said the relationship that has existed between both sister countries was very much appreciative, noting that as a notion, they appreciate the role Nigeria has played and still playing for the country.
He recalled that when the country witnessed the eleven years civil war, Nigeria played a significant role in restoring peace the Sierra Leone is enjoying today, adding that Sierra Leone was always grateful to Nigeria for that sacrifice.
He thanked them for always helping the country with the medical doctors they are sending into the country to work and save the lives of Sierra Leoneans, adding that due to the dynamic leadership at the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, the health sector has been transformed into an appreciating level.
He disclosed that they will be deploying the doctors to the provinces and informed them that the country is peaceful and friendly and that they have nothing to worry about during their stay.
