SENIOR MINISTER DOUGLAS PRAISES NTAC DEPLOYMENT AS SYMBOL OF ENDURING FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION

Basseterre, Saint Kitts, December 29, 2025 (SKNIS): Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Right Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas, today, December 29, 2025, described the arrival of Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) volunteers as a proud and timely reaffirmation of the long-standing friendship between Saint Kitts and Nevis and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Addressing the handing-over ceremony for the NTAC volunteers, Dr. Douglas welcomed twelve health professionals and five teachers who will serve across the Federation.

“Ladies and gentlemen, let me emphasise that it is really a great honour and a privilege to welcome you all to this important occasion,” he said, noting that the professionals will strengthen critical services in health and education for the people of Saint Kitts and Nevis. “This marks yet another chapter in that enduring friendship between the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This initiative is the result of purposeful diplomacy and what we call direct engagement,” said Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Right Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas.

Dr. Douglas outlined the recent diplomatic engagements that led to the deployment, recalling that earlier this year, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew led a delegation to Nigeria, and that he himself participated in the Caribbean–Africa Summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Following the summit, Dr. Douglas accepted an invitation to visit Nigeria, where he met with his counterpart, Yusuf Tuggar, to discuss Saint Kitts and Nevis’ human-resource challenges in the health and education sectors.

He also met with Yusuf Buba Yakub, Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, who assured him that assistance could be provided. Within weeks, volunteers were identified and arrived in the Federation just over a week ago.

“I share this background because it bears testimony to what can result from face-to-face engagements, transparent dialogue with friends, and, of course, genuine partnership as well,” said Dr. Douglas. “And so, I’m very pleased to inform you that Director General Yakub visited us about one month ago, and he and his delegation also met with health and education authorities in the sister island of Nevis, under the auspices of the Nevis Island Administration.”

He reminded the audience that Nigeria’s support to Saint Kitts and Nevis is not new. In the early 1990s, Nigeria deployed one medical doctor to Saint Kitts and one to Nevis, an intervention that left a lasting impact on both communities. Today’s cohort, he said, builds on that legacy and reflects the spirit of South-South cooperation, where developing nations stand shoulder to shoulder.

“And so, the arrival of these volunteers comes at a crucial time,” Dr. Douglas said. “Their expertise will help to fill critical gaps in our health and education systems, ensuring that our own citizens have greater access to quality care, and that our students within the education system can benefit from enhanced teaching and, of course, learning. We are quite confident here that their contributions will not only strengthen these particular sectors but also leave a positive and lasting impact on the lives of our people here in Saint Kitts and Nevis.”

He added that the deployment directly advances Saint Kitts and Nevis’ progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) through the addition of twelve medical professionals, SDG 4 (Quality Education) through the deployment of five teachers, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), which underscores the value of international and South-South cooperation.