The management of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has been urged to create more robust relationships with media practitioners, especially the state coordinators, to consolidate the positive image of the scheme.
The President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr. Ike Neliaku, stated this in his lecture during the Media Workshop organised for NYSC Top Management and State Coordinators held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Dr. Neliaku said the laudable achievements of the NYSC since its inception till date could be attributed to the robust media partnership, and this must be consolidated to improve the public perception of the noble scheme.
Speaking on the topic “Optimising Media Relations to Enhance the Corporate Image of the Scheme,” Dr. Neliaku advised the NYSC Managers to continue to be objective in delivering its mandate to its various publics and always be proactive in media relations.
He also encouraged the NYSC management to handle information professionally to avoid negative publicity.
While declaring the workshop open, the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, said his administration is committed to maintaining a good working relationship with the media.
He said the NYSC would leverage its relationship with the media and also deepen its partnership with the media, as they provide a veritable platform for the publicity of the activities of the scheme.
The Director General, while commending the press, also advised them to clarify issues with the NYSC before rushing to the press in order not to misinform the public.
“I enjoin State Coordinators to take a cue from us at the National Directorate Headquarters by ensuring easier accessibility and closer interaction with media correspondents and Bureau Chiefs in your respective States. This is the surest way of nipping on the bud—bad publicity occasioned by unbalanced reportage,” he said.
The Director of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Eddy Megwa, a fellow of the Institute, said in his introductory address that the training is in line with the Director General’s desire that the corporate image of the scheme is adequately protected through robust engagement with the press.
He advised the state coordinators to develop closer ties with their public relations officers, including the media houses in their states, for more positive results in media relations.
“Coordinators are the chief image-makers of the scheme in the field. The Director General would be looking forward to receiving more pleasant stories from the States on the relationship with the officers on the one hand and media organisations in the States on the other,” Megwa said.
The workshop with the theme “Leveraging on Media Organisations to Deepen the Contributions of NYSC to National Development in the Post-Golden Jubilee Era” was organised to chart a new way forward in attaining a seamless and more friendly relationship with the press using a public relations approach.
