The Ministry of Education extends a warm welcome to the second batch of Nigerian Volunteer Teachers. The official handover ceremony was led by the Minister of Education, Prof. Dr. D. Ansu Sonii, Sr.
An Education Ministry release said the event signifies another milestone in the enduring Nigeria-Liberia Bilateral relations, which have thrived since 1960 when Diplomatic Missions were established in each other’s capitals. This relationship is characterized by mutual respect and cooperation.
The ceremony continues the vision set forth in 1987 when representatives from both countries signed an agreement on Economic, Scientific, and Technical cooperation. This ratified agreement identified areas of mutual collaboration, including the establishment of industries, training of counterparts, provision of consultancy services, and the deployment of volunteers under the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (TAC) scheme, among others.
The release noted that in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to bolstering relations, Nigeria has been sending volunteer teachers and medical doctors to Liberia under the TAC program. The aim is to enhance the Liberian education sector and overall human development capacity.
The TAC program began with the deployment of seven professors to the Ibrahim Babangida School of International Studies at the University of Liberia. Nigeria has sponsored over 500 volunteers in Liberia, who actively contribute by teaching various subjects in schools and supporting healthcare in the country’s hospitals.
According to the Nigerian Embassy representative, Minir Ibrahim, the Charge D’Affairs, officially handed over the twelve volunteers to the Minister of Education and the people of Liberia. He assured the Minister that these volunteers are ready to make a meaningful contribution to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Liberia.
The Charge D’Affairs, representing the Federal Republic of Nigeria, called on Nigerian Volunteer Teachers to be professional, ethical, law-abiding, and follow the Ministry’s rules and regulations. He further reminded them that if they have any concerns, they should not hesitate to communicate them to their County Education Officers. He wished them a successful tour of duty, emphasizing that this assignment is a call to national duty, requiring the highest ethical standards and moral values as expected of teachers, the release said.
These dedicated Nigerian Volunteer Teachers hold qualifications ranging from Bachelor’s degrees to Master’s degrees.
According to the release, the 2nd batch of Nigerian Volunteer Teachers include
1. Abubakar, Aliyu
2. Agbo, Grace Ifamu
3. Ehinola, Olandimeji Stephen
4. Umar, Fatima
5. Madaki, Nuhu Mohammed
6. Okpere-Ampofo, Martha Lilian Obehi
7. Meroyi, Olugbenga
8. Nwofoke, Chukwuemeka
9. Balogun, Olamibo Omotola
10. Omogbadegun, Charles Tola
11. Olugbo, Samuel Olawole
12. Yakubu, Salihu Bello
During the handover, Liberia’s Education Minister, Prof. Dao Ansu Sonii, praised the Nigerian government and its people for the cordial relationship that continues to strengthen between the two African countries, especially in the education sector.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Prof. Dr. D. Ansu Sonii, Sr., emphasized that these twelve Nigerian volunteer teachers are fully sponsored by the Nigerian Government, with the Liberian Government responsible for their accommodation. The volunteers will be assigned to the following counties: Nimba, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Bassa, and Lofa.
During the official welcome and orientation program held at the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town for the additional 12 Technical Aid Corps (TAC) volunteers, Minister Sonii said Nigeria has become the mother country in the region in terms of population and advancement.
He added that Liberia remains grateful for the support from the Nigerian government, without which certain significant gains would not have been possible.
Referring to the 26 volunteer classroom teachers currently in the country from Nigeria, the Minister indicated that another batch of TAC volunteers is expected in November of this year, increasing the number to 42.
The Minister reminded the volunteers about how critical their role is in national development, acknowledging them as the transformers, the release concluded.
