Liberian President, Weah seeks 6,000 teachers from Nigeria
called on the Nigerian government to provide 6000 teachers to his
country as part of the Technical Assistance agreement between both
countries.
Speaking shortly after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu
Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, he stated that his
government inherited many problems which can only be tackled with
assistance from countries like Nigeria.
Weah was inaugurated into office on January 22 after defeating
immediate past vice president, Joseph Boakai of the Unity Party.
Addressing State House correspondents after his meeting with Buhari,
the Liberian leader identified some of the urgent problems facing his
country as youth unemployment, as well as the need to revive the
education, agriculture, mining and health sectors.
"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 Assistance 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.
"More specifically, under the Bilateral Teacher Exchange programme, we
are seeking 6,000 plus teachers to make up for the shortage of good
teachers in our educational system," he said.
The Liberian leader thanked Buhari for the invitation extended to him
and said his delegation was on a mission of "gratitude and respect for
the extraordinary and exceptional role that you, our Nigerian brothers
and sisters, have played and continue to play in maintaining peace and
stability in the West African sub-region, and more particularly, in
Liberia".
He said although Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa, "with the
most powerful army in our sub-region, you have never used your wealth
and military prowess to expand your territory, threaten your
neighbours, or destabilise any sovereign nation in the region".
Weah also said the prices of Liberia's two basic export commodities,
rubber and iron ore, continue to fall on the world market, which have
diminished the country's foreign exchange earnings from the export of
the commodities.
He also stated that most export earnings of Liberia are used mainly to
import food and other commodities, causing massive trade deficits
while youth unemployment is at an all-time high, and prices of basic
commodities continue to increase.
"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.
You played a major role in bringing peace to Liberia, you reformed our
Army and today it is performing its duties to the highest professional
standards. As we speak, they are serving in a peace-keeping mission in
Mali.
"You have also built and expanded the capacities of Liberians in so
many ways. For example, during our recent observance of Armed Forces
Day in Liberia, we were informed that two of our military personnel
will soon be graduating as pilots from one of your esteemed
institutions.
"We would like to see a continuation and expansion of that programme,
for both men and women," the President said.
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