The Director General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yusha’u Dogora Ahmed, on Thursday cautioned Corps Members against the dangers in late night partying, night travels and indecent dressing.
The DG stated this in a Speech at 2023 NYSC Protocol, Press and Public Relations Officers’ Training Workshop in Abuja with the theme, ”Managing and Improving the Reputation of the NYSC: The Roles and Responsibilities of Public Relations (PR) Officers.”
General Ahmed who charged participants to deploy the available platforms for sensitization of serving and prospective Corps members on security consciousness, however commended officers of Protocol and PR Unit for their relentless effort in projecting the image of the Scheme.
He said, “Despite your celebrated accomplishments, I hasten to remind you of the dynamic nature of your job and, in particular, the challenges that have put the Scheme in the spotlight in recent times.
“We must view threats coming from detractors, especially through the social media with utmost seriousness. The training will equip you for improved performance in line with my administration’s policy on capacity building.
“This forum serves as an avenue for you, as reputation mangers, to realign our PR strategies with a view to effectively tackling emerging challenges. The training will be comprehensive as it encompasses the critical elements of your job profile, including reputation management, protocol and information management.
“At the end, you are expected to raise the bar of your output, particularly in monitoring the media and issuing timely rejoinders or releases to counter negative publications. Similarly, we expect remarkable improvements in the NYSC Radio and Television programmes and our in-house publications.”
To further equip the participants for optimal discharge of their responsibilities, the DG disclosed that, henceforth, “We will be sponsoring PR officers to attend the FRCN Training School, the NTA TV College as well as NIPR training programmes.”
Equally, he said, Management will soon embark on comprehensive upgrade of PR Units of the Scheme across the country with modern communication gadgets in line with prevailing technological demands of PR practice.
Already, General Ahmed said, the equipping of the new studio for NYSC TV is ongoing. “I expect you to reciprocate these gestures with increased commitment to your duties.”
On the warning to Corps Members, he said, “You are expected to draw their attention to the dangers of night journey, boarding of vehicles at unauthorized locations, attendance of late-night parties, and acceptance of car ride from strangers, amongst other risky acts.
“In the same vein, Management places great emphasis on dress code for Corps members. This programme is unique as it is the first of its kind to be held since my assumption of duty as Chief Executive of the Scheme.
“This is also, considering the role of the participants in driving one of the focal points of my administration’s policy thrust, which is strengthening stakeholders’ engagement for the promotion of the frontiers of the Scheme,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Eddy Megwa, the Director, Press and Public Relations noted earlier that, the Annual NYSC platform for Officers in the PR cadre of the Scheme, to Officers’ Workshop serves to upgrade their knowledge on contemporary practices in reputation management.
He said, “We are therefore determined to leverage on our robust relationship with our professional colleagues to widen our scope and vision in strategic communication, adaptive critical thinking and vigorous media drive for greater activities and contributions of the Scheme to national development.”
Given the increasing scrutiny of the affairs of NYSC by stakeholders, Mr Megwa stated that, there is need for round the clock vigilance by the Scheme, particularly the managers of its corporate image.
“Consequently, I use this opportunity to appeal to my colleagues, the NYSC PR Officers to redouble their efforts and be more proactive in our PR strategies to ensure effective professional management of the corporate image of the Scheme.”
