The Acting Director-General, National Youth Service Corps NYSC,Mrs Christy Uba has urged Staff of the Press And Public Relations, Protocol And FOIA Desk Unit whom she described as reputation managers to step up efforts at sustaining harmonious relationship with critical stakeholders of the scheme.
Uba gave this charge Thursday at opening ceremony of the 2022 NYSC Press and Public Relations, Protocol and FOIA Officers’ Training Workshop in Abuja.
She said the workshop was in furtherance of NYSC Management’s commitment to building the capacity of Staff for higher productivity.
“The role of Public Relations Officers in the achievement of the NYSC mandate cannot be overemphasized. Over the years, officers in this cadre have undertaken the crucial tasks of projecting the good image of the Scheme, and played facilitating roles in its much-celebrated contributions to national unity and development.
“It is gratifying to note that the PR Officers have continued to earn accolades for the diligent discharge of their duties, including the professional management of our public functions. Today, I commend you once again for your high sense of commitment and professionalism.
“Even as we celebrate your numerous accomplishments, you must not rest on your oars, especially in view of the demanding nature of your schedules. As you are already aware, Public Relations practice is dynamic: responding appropriately to emerging challenges, and the peculiarities of the operating environment. Conscious of the need to bring you up to speed with evolving trends in corporate image management, Management has continued to provide avenues for the upgrade of your knowledge and skills. The inclusion of Protocol and Freedom of Information Act Trainings in this Workshop is to further sharpen your skills in these important areas thereby making the programme an all round one.”Mrs Uba stated
She called on participants to use the forum to share experiences and come up with ideas on best practices.
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“Let me also remind you of the need to continue to leverage on both the traditional and the new media to ensure effective publicity for the contributions of the Scheme to the socio-economic development of our dear country. It is also on this premise that Management established the NYSC Radio and Television Stations, which are already enhancing the visibility of the Scheme in the media space, and allowing us tell our story without any encumbrance. In this connection, I hereby direct all State Secretariats to acquire high definition cameras and other ancillary equipment to enhance the operations of the Stations.
“I wish to further urge you to step-up the monitoring of the social media so as to promptly correct misconceptions as well as fake stories fraudulent or mischievous persons may peddle about the Scheme. On our part, Management shall continue to provide enabling environment for you to perform your duties optimally”She added.
Earlier,in his welcome address,the Director, Press And Public Relations Unit, Mr Eddy Megwa noted the scheme’s unwavering passion and commitment to Staff training which has enhanced job performance.
He said the Annual NYSC Press and Public Relations Officers’ Workshop has over the years served as a veritable platform for Officers of the Scheme, to acquire requisite knowledge on contemporary issues influencing the practice of the profession with a view to ensuring effective professional management of the corporate image of the Scheme.
According to Megwa the theme for this year’s workshop, “ENHANCING THE CORPORATE IMAGE OF NYSC: QUINTESSENTIAL ROLE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICERS”, was chosen to underscore the importance of well heeled Public Relations personnel in the Scheme’s corporate image management.
“This training will enable the participants stay afloat on their duties and ensure that nothing is left to chance in managing the image of the NYSC. It will also empower them with up-to-date information management strategies for engagement of the Scheme’s publics on our policies, programmes and activities.
“The quest for an enriched training, necessitated inclusion of training on protocol and Freedom of Information Act and the selection of seasoned professionals with impeccable backgrounds and knowledge in these critical aspects of corporate image management as our Resource Persons.
We are therefore confident that at the end of this programme, the participants would be better equipped for optimal discharge of their professional responsibilities.
Consequently, I charge all participants to take advantage of this workshop to update your knowledge on modern trends in Public Relations practice.
“Let me place on record that in the area of implementation of Freedom of Information Act among MDAs, NYSC is rated among the best nationwide. This underscores Management’s resolve to constantly hold annual training for FOIA Desk Officers.
In the same vein, the strict adherence to protocol rules of engagement in the conduct of NYSC programmes and activities is such that must be commended among our State and NDHQ officers. May I therefore appreciate the invaluable supervisory role played by the Director Special Duties for sustaining a high standard in our Scheme.
It is pertinent to also note the invaluable contributions of NYSC PR personnel over the years in sustaining a positive image of the Scheme. Through the traditional and new media at both the State formations and Directorate Headquarters, PR officers have ensured enhanced visibility of the Scheme in the media space.
“The relentless push by this cadre of officers for a voice to bridge the gap of inadequate publicity for the numerous achievements and contributions of the Scheme to national cohesion and development resulted to the birth of the NYSC Radio and Television Stations. I must put on record that these media are indeed being utilized to extensively publicise the Scheme. It is a given that the benefits of these stations will manifest prominently when the operational issues that often confront any fledgling media outfit are sorted”Megwa stated.
A paper titled,”Effective Communication and Interpersonal Skills: A Protocol Officer Approach”was delivered by a seasoned Public Relations Consultant, HRH.Oba Jacob Adetayo Haastrup.before the participants went to business session of the workshop.
The workshop had in attendance staff of Public Relations and Protocols ,FOIA Desk Unit of the scheme from 36 states And FCT.
