The Voice of Nigeria (VON) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have pledged to deepen their partnership in promoting youth development, projecting Nigeria’s positive image, and strengthening strategic national communication.
This was the focus of a courtesy visit by the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Baba Ndace, to the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, at the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Abuja.
During the visit, Mallam Ndace commended Brigadier General Nafiu for what he described as remarkable leadership and achievements in repositioning the Scheme within one year of his appointment.
He described the NYSC Director-General as a dedicated officer whose years of service, humility, and commitment had prepared him for the responsibility of leading one of Nigeria’s most important national institutions.
Ndace said he was not surprised by the progress recorded by the NYSC under Brigadier General Nafiu, noting that the NYSC boss had consistently distinguished himself in assignments both within and outside Nigeria prior to his appointment.
He also praised Nafiu’s leadership style, particularly his ability to connect with Corps members and make the institution more accessible to the young people it serves, stressing that “such people-oriented leadership is critical in modern public service.”
The VON Director-General said; “the purpose of the visit was not only to identify with the good work being done by the Scheme, but also to provide a stronger media platform for projecting its successes to a global audience.’
“We are here, my brother and friend, to offer a platform, Voice of Nigeria, to further consolidate on what you have been doing. I always say that when you speak to us in one language, you tell the world in eight languages. It is only Voice of Nigeria that has that capacity,” Ndace said.
He stressed that at a time when social media distortions, fake news, and disinformation dominate the information space, national institutions must deliberately manage public perception and amplify their positive contributions to national development.
According to him, “the NYSC remains a vital national asset whose activities and impact should be consistently projected beyond Nigeria’s borders.”
“If NYSC is doing well, let the world know. We shouldn’t allow one mistake made by a corps member of some team to define NYSC,” he stated.
Ndace explained that Voice of Nigeria, with its multilingual broadcast structure, is strategically positioned to tell Nigeria’s story more effectively and project institutions like the NYSC in a positive light.
He said; “VON currently broadcasts daily in eight languages—English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Fulfulde, French, Arabic, and Kiswahili—and is also concluding discussions to begin Mandarin broadcasts as part of efforts to further expand Nigeria’s voice globally.”
The VON Director-General further disclosed that, with the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, the agency is working to restore and upgrade its transmission infrastructure to strengthen its operational capacity and international reach.
He described the partnership between VON and NYSC as ‘timely and strategic,’ particularly in the areas of content development, youth-focused programming, and the promotion of inspiring stories of corps members making meaningful impacts in communities across the country.
Ndace noted that many Corps members were contributing significantly to national development through community service and innovation, saying “such efforts deserved wider visibility to reinforce the relevance of the Scheme.’
He said the collaboration would also create opportunities for capacity building, media engagement, and the inclusion of corps members in strategic communication initiatives aligned with national development objectives.
The VON Director-General, who was accompanied by some Corps members serving in the organisation, said regular mentoring and engagement with young people had helped build confidence in Nigeria, with many expressing renewed hope in the country’s future.
He also commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their sacrifices in defence of the nation and called on Nigerians to continue supporting institutions that contribute to national unity, stability, and development.
Responding, the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, expressed appreciation for the visit and the support the Scheme has continued to receive from Voice of Nigeria and the media in general.
He described the media as a critical institution in society and acknowledged its role as the conscience of the nation, adding that information remains one of the key elements of national power.
According to him, “Voice of Nigeria occupies a prime position in Nigeria’s strategic communication architecture and continues to play a vital role in projecting the nation’s image.’
Brigadier General Nafiu also commended Mallam Ndace for the leadership he has brought to VON, especially in the areas of digital transformation, staff welfare, and reforms in line with modern communication trends.
He said the digital shift being driven by VON was necessary, particularly in engaging Nigeria’s youthful population, whose communication style differs from that of older generations.
The NYSC Director-General said his administration would continue to place a premium on strategic communication, perception management, and responsible public engagement, especially in an era marked by widespread misinformation and disinformation.
He used the occasion to address recent false narratives surrounding the NYSC, particularly allegations relating to Corps members’ safety and ransom issues, insisting that the Scheme had never issued any official document asking parents to pay ransom or sign undertakings in the event of abduction.
He explained that while Corps members, like other Nigerians, operate within the realities of the wider society, the NYSC remains committed to their safety and welfare and takes all necessary precautions in deployment and camp operations.
Brigadier General Nafiu said ‘the Scheme does not deploy corps members to areas where security is not guaranteed, noting that such decisions are guided by intelligence and security reports from relevant agencies.”
He said that the NYSC has, in some cases, relocated orientation camps where security concerns made continued operations unsafe, adding that the welfare and protection of corps members remain a top priority.
He further explained that every corps member is covered by comprehensive insurance from the moment a call-up letter is issued, including health and life insurance, and noted that the Scheme has on several occasions committed substantial resources to life-saving medical interventions for corps members.
The NYSC Director-General also highlighted the critical contributions of corps members across the country, especially in education, healthcare, elections, and community development.
He said “many states rely on corps members to fill manpower gaps in schools and health facilities, while institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) also depend on them to support credible electoral processes.”
Brigadier General Nafiu said the NYSC has remained relevant for over five decades because it has consistently stayed above politics and religion while promoting national unity and service.
He assured the VON delegation of the Scheme’s readiness to sustain and expand the partnership, including the posting of more corps members to the organisation where necessary.
“We remain committed to partnering with you. And we remain committed to posting more corps members if you want more, sincerely, for taking good care of these our children,” he said.
The NYSC Boss added that the NYSC would continue to put a human face to its operations and ensure that corps members are treated with fairness, understanding, and dignity.
The visit ended with both institutions reaffirming their commitment to closer collaboration in using media and youth-focused programmes to showcase Nigeria as a nation of resilient, creative, and patriotic young people.