The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has commended the West African College of Physicians (WACP) for its contributions to human capacity development and the delivery of quality healthcare services across the West African sub region.
Nafiu gave the commendation while receiving the executive members of the WACP during a courtesy visit to the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement by the NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, the Director-General described the college as a critical institution whose role in the training and certification of physicians is indispensable.
He praised the WACP for promoting best practices in medical education and healthcare delivery through the training of medical doctors across the region.
Nafiu, however, urged the college to develop strategies to curb the migration of medical professionals abroad, noting that Nigeria continues to face a shortage of doctors.
He assured the college of the NYSC’s readiness to collaborate on initiatives that would promote national development and improve healthcare delivery.
The NYSC boss also highlighted the scheme’s Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, which equips corps members with entrepreneurial skills, as well as the NYSC Ventures, which produces bread, bottled water, poultry products and other goods.
Earlier, the Secretary-General of the WACP, 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 Oct. 26 to 28.
Galandachi noted that Nigeria has the largest WACP chapter in Africa and remains the biggest beneficiary of the college’s programmes, making it important to host a memorable anniversary celebration.
He also commended the NYSC for its deployment policy, which posts corps members outside their states of origin, saying the initiative has promoted national integration and exposed young Nigerians to diverse cultures and communities.
According to him, the NYSC has also provided valuable practical experience for medical doctors during their service year, complementing their professional training through hands on experience in different healthcare settings.
