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Liberia President’s request of 6000 teachers from Nigeria again shows how Nigeria is Africa’s big brother

President of Liberia, George Weah says he would need close to 6000 teachers from Nigeria to help fill the gap of shortage of teachers his Country his experiencing.

Weah made this known after his meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, at the State House Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Liberia President also said his Country is in dire need of assistance from other Countries like Nigeria, as his administration is bedevilled with some major problems since coming on board.

“Our people have voted for change, and for hope. And change is finally here. But mere political change is meaningless without development, prosperity, and growth. Your Excellency; we need Nigeria’s help to jump-start our economy.

“Your sustained technical assistance for capacity building in these sectors is most welcome. For example, Nigerian teachers and medical volunteers to Liberia, under the Technical Aid Corps (TAC) Agreement with Liberia, have been very crucial in boosting capacity development in Liberia, and it is my hope that this assistance can be considerably increased to address with urgency our most pressing socio-economic needs at this time”

Weah also expressed gratitude to Nigeria for it’s brotherly role in helping to maintain peace and stability in West Africa Sub-region, especially Liberia.

He stated that though, the Country prides itself as having the largest economy in Africa and also possesses Military might in the West Africa region, it had never used her advantages to oppress and threaten other neighbourhood Countries.

Mr Weah also declared that Liberia is now open for business to the Nigerian private sector.

“Yet, the Liberian banking sector is dominated by Nigerian banks, and I am made to understand that their Head offices in Nigeria may be considering reducing their support or even shutting them down because of the recent downturn in our economy.

“If this is true, I urge them not to do so, as l am optimistic that trade and commerce will increase in the near future.”

Nigeria’s ‘Big Brother’ role

Over the years, Nigeria has stepped up the role of an elder sibling in Africa, by engaging and providing for capable needs of some Africa Countries.

The Country has been involved in several peace-keeping duties, monetary terms, among others.

Judges and Troops to the Gambia

Nigeria provides Judges for the Gambian Supreme Court as the country cannot boast of Judges qualified enough to handle this position.

It was partly due to Nigeria’s inability to meet up with this that led to the ouster of former President Yahya Jammeh, who, after conceding defeat, rejected election results and wanted to go to Court but Nigeria could not send Judges as usual.

The world also looked to Nigeria to help with troops in the event that Mr Jammeh wanted to hang on to power. He did not.

Liberia Peace Keeping

Liberia is one of the major benefactors of Nigeria’s Peace Keeping Mission when the Country was involved in political crises.

In 2003, Nigeria was one of the Countries that sent close to two Battalion troops as peace force to the Country under the UN Mission in Liberia (UNSMIL).

In 2013, it also sent about 700 soldiers as part of contribution to the United Nations (UN), for peacekeeping mission. It sent the same number in 2014 and 2016.

Another 230 was sent in 2017, though the last batch arrived in February with the mission set to end in March.

Independence for Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa

Nigeria had played a role in the independence of Zimbabwe and in the late 1980s was active in assisting Namibians achieve independence of Namibia. In the latter case, it contributed about US$20 million to assist the South West Africa People’s Organization in the 1989 elections and other preparations for Namibian independence.

Nigeria was also one of the Countries that led the struggle against apartheid in the pre-independent era in South Africa.

Among other efforts, the military administration of Gen. Obasanjo contributed $3.7 million to the fund and also committed personal donation of $3,000 to the fund.

All Nigerian civil servants and public officers at the time made a 2% donation from their monthly salaries to the fund while Nigerian students skipped their lunch to make donations, and by June 1977, the total contribution to the fund had reached $10.5 million.

An official statement is yet to be released in response to Liberian President, George Weah’s request.

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