National president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Chris Isiguzo, has charged public relations practitioners on the need to embrace innovation to stay relevant in the industry.
Isiguzo stated this at the opening ceremony of the 2023 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Public Relations and Protocol Officers Workshop in Abuja, yesterday.
The theme of the workshop is, “Managing and Enhancing the Reputation of the NYSC: Roles and Responsibilities of PR Officers.”
He charged them as custodians of NYSC to embrace innovation and commitment to their responsibilities.
“Your work is not really a profession but a profound service to our great nation. Your professionalism and expertise are the cornerstone upon which the trust is built,” he said.
The director-general of NYSC, Brig General Yusha’u Ahmed emphasised the critical role of protocol and PR officers in projecting the good image of the scheme, especially through various professional activities that have engendered public appreciation of its invaluable contributions to national unity and development.
“I, therefore, use this forum to commend the commitment and ingenuity with which you discharge your responsibilities. In particular, I salute your dedication to ensuring efficient management of our public functions in line with the dictates of protocol as well as adequate publicity of the activities of the scheme.”
To further equip the officers to discharge their responsibilities, he said NYSC will be sponsoring PR officers to attend the FRCN Training School, the NTA TV College as well as NIPR training programmes.
Earlier, the director, press and public relations, Mr Eddy Megwa said given the increasing scrutiny of the affairs of NYSC by stakeholders, there was 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.”
Also speaking, the president, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr Ike Neliaku said the importance of NYSC in nation building cannot be overemphasised.
He noted that for Nigeria to move forward, the issue of integration must be taken seriously.
