NYSC DG tasks scheme’s PR officers on efficient service

Brig.-Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed

The Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, has urged Information and Public Relations (PR) Officers of the scheme to improve on their public relations skills for better service.

Ahmed gave the advice in Abuja, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 NYSC Information and PR Officers’ Training Workshop.

According to him, the scheme places a high premium on ensuring a sustainable positive corporate image at all times.

He said that given the demands of their schedule and the fast paced digitalised world, there is need for continuous upgrade of their knowledge and skills to keep up with evolving trends in corporate image management.

“While management will continue to expand the coast of PR officers, it expects that you fulfill the statutory requirement for practice of PR, by enrolling into the relevant professional bodies as members.

“In the same vein, PR officers will be sent to relevant institutions for requisite training and retraining programmes to hone your skills in media management and other elements of your job profile.”

Ahmed urged them to continue to leverage on both the traditional and new media to scale-up effective publication of the critical role of NYSC in the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

The Director, Information and Public Relations Department, Mr Eddy Megwa, said that the annual workshop has over the years become a veritable platform for officers of the cadre to acquire requisite knowledge on contemporary issues influencing the practice of the profession.

According to him, it is intended to keep the officers on top of their game with a view to equip them adequately for effective management of the corporate image of the scheme.

“It is in this regard that the theme of this year’s workshop ‘”Re-tooling NYSC PR Officers for Modern Corporate Image Management of the Scheme,” was adopted.

“No doubt it will enable participants brainstorm on the new techniques of handling emerging PR issues as they affect NYSC.

“It is incontrovertible that the scheme needs well trained PR officers to continually engage its publics and constantly fill them in on the operations of the scheme and also take charge of other ancillary duties which support and enhance our corporate image.”

Megwa, who will be retiring in August after 34 years of service, said that the department had recorded several milestones.

“We have established the NYSC Radio and Television Stations to enhance publication of the programmes of the scheme and improve its visibility in the media space.

“We have also inaugurated a new state-of-the-art studio recently for the NYSC TV.”