The Nigerian Army has assured the country’s medical doctors living abroad but willing to return home that it is ready to employ them in its hospitals nationwide. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, said this when he received in his office in Abuja, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the chairwoman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and top officials of the commission. This is contained in a statement by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NIDCOM’s spokesman.
The statement quoted Mr 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 Nigeria had some of the best doctors living in the UK, U.S., Canada, and South Africa, adding that the army, under his command, wants to employ them if they would return home to reduce the brain drain in the medical sector. “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.
Mr 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.
Mr 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. Ms Dabiri-Erewa said the commission was ready to work with the army to protect humanity.