The Nigerian Army has assured the country’s medical doctors living abroad but willing to return home that it is ready to absorb them into its hospitals nationwide.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja said this when he received in his office in Abuja, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and top officials of the commission.
This is contained in a statement by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NIDCOM’s Head of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols Unit.
The statement quoted Lagbaja as saying that the army would work closely with NIDCOM to bring back home the best brains in the diaspora to help develop the country.
He said he was aware of the fact that Nigeria had the some of best doctors living in the UK, U.S., Canada, and South Africa having lived abroad before now, the statement added.
He said the army, under his command, would like to employ them if they would return home as that would reduce brain drain.
The army chief, according to the statement, expressed delight that the Nigerian forces have been
excelling in all military assignments abroad and making the country proud.
“It is, therefore, a thing of joy for me to partner with NIDCOM to celebrate these army warriors who have been making us proud abroad in all their military operations,” he said.
Lagbaja added that the army was prepared to collaborate with the commission even on the home front to enhance the visibility of the army and make Nigerians appreciate it for the sacrifice it is making to protect the territorial integrity of the country, according to the statement.
The statement said that Lagbaja spoke of the army’s commitment to maintaining discipline and professionalism as well as protecting Nigerians from any form of aggression capable of affecting the corporate existence of the country.
Earlier, the statement said that Dabiri-Erewa had congratulated the new army chief and praised him for his professionalism and the new positive image army is getting since he assumed office.
She spoke of the commission’s readiness to work with the Nigerian Army to protect humanity, adding that the army chief must not rest on his oars in the discharge of the army’s professional duties and responsibilities.
