By Vicky Attah, Correspondent
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has commended the West African College of Physicians (WACP) for its contribution to training medical professionals and improving healthcare delivery across the West African sub-region.
Nafiu gave the commendation during a courtesy visit by the executive members of the WACP to the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Abuja, where he also pledged the Scheme’s support for the college’s activities and future collaborations.
He described the institution as a vital body in the certification and professional development of physicians, saying its contributions to maintaining high medical standards could not be overemphasised.
The NYSC Director General praised the college for ensuring that medical doctors are trained in line with global best practices, while urging it to intensify efforts to discourage the migration of healthcare professionals abroad.
According to him, Nigeria is facing a shortage of medical doctors, making it important for stakeholders to work together to retain skilled personnel in the country.
Nafiu reaffirmed the NYSC’s readiness to partner with the college on initiatives that would advance national development and improve the welfare of citizens.
He also highlighted the NYSC’s Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, saying it has equipped thousands of young graduates with vocational and entrepreneurial skills, while NYSC Ventures produces bread, bottled water, poultry products and other goods.
Earlier, the Secretary General of the West African College of Physicians, Dr. Habibu Galandachi, said the delegation visited to seek the support of the NYSC for the college’s Annual General Meeting and 50th anniversary celebration scheduled to hold in Nigeria from October 26 to 28 this year.
He said that Nigeria is the largest chapter of the college in Africa and its biggest beneficiary, expressing confidence that the event would be a landmark celebration.
Galandachi also acknowledged the impact of the NYSC on national development, saying the Scheme’s policy of deploying corps members outside their states of origin has strengthened national integration by exposing young Nigerians to diverse cultures and communities.
He added that the NYSC also provides valuable practical experience for corps doctors by exposing them to different healthcare environments during their service year.
