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NIPR President Tasks NYSC On Corporate Image Building

Published

3 years ago

October 22, 2023

Joel Ajayi

The President, of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr Ike Neliaku has advised NYSC Management, especially the State Coordinators to create more robust relationships with media practitioners in order to consolidate on the positive image of the Scheme.

He said the laudable achievements of the NYSC since inception till date could be ascribed to the robust media partnership and this must be consolidated to improve on the public perception of the noble Scheme.

He stated this in his lecture during the Media Workshop organised for NYSC Top Management and State Coordinators held in Abuja.

Speaking on the topic; “Optimizing Media Relations To Enhance The Corporate Image Of the Scheme”, through the Vice President and Vice Chairman of Council NIPR, Professor Emmanuel Dandaura, 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 on the professional handling of information that may bring negative publicity.

While declaring the Workshop open, the Director General of National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General YD Ahmed said his administration is committed towards the sustenance of the good working relationship with the media.

He said the NYSC would leverage on its relationship with the media and also deepen 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 from 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, Press and Public Relations, Mr Eddy Megwa, a fellow of the Institute, in his introductory address said 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 one hand, and media organisations in the States on the other”, Megwa said.

The One day workshop with the theme; “Leveraging On Media Organisations to Deepen the Contributions of NYSC to National Development in the Post Golden Jubilee Era”, was organized to chart a new way forward in attaining a seamless and more friendly relationship with the press using Public Relations approach.

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AWESSA 2026: Customs Assures Border Cooperation for Women Entrepreneurs

Published

8 hours ago

October 25, 2026

The Gleamer

By James Samuel, Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service has said the nation’s borders must become gateways of opportunity for African women entrepreneurs, not obstacles that kill their businesses.

This was disclosed at the African Women’s Economic Sovereignty Summit and Awards (AWESSA) 2026 held at the Customs House, corporate headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service in Abuja.

Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, his representative, an Assistant Controller, said hosting the summit inside Customs premises was deliberate.

“That this summit holds within the Customs premises is no accident. It is a statement of intent,” he said.

“The border is where the promise of every African trader either comes alive or dies quietly. And the men and women of this Service have resolved that for every woman entrepreneur of this continent, that promise will never die.”

He said women account for an estimated 70% of informal cross-border trade in Africa and over half of agricultural labour, yet they face documentation, standards, finance and harassment challenges.

“Too often she meets the border as an obstacle rather than a gateway. Because she trades in small volumes, in cash, in informality without formal papers, capable business women are now trapped in informality, invisible to trade statistics,” he noted.

He added: “AfCFTA will not be delivered by treaties alone. It will be delivered at border posts, in conference halls, and in market stores.”

Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, represented by a Director, said women are central to Nigeria’s non-oil export sector.

According to her, NEPC’s focus is now on building export- ready competitive enterprises through programmes like the Women in Export Initiative, Export Clinic, and Zero to Export.

“Our focus is no longer on encouraging exports alone, it is on building competitive export-ready enterprises. We are supporting women to move beyond production into value addition, quality assurance, standard compliance, branding and market positioning,” she said.

She said AfCFTA offers a market of over one billion people, but women need knowledge, certifications and institutional support.

“Empowering women economically is one of the most effective tools for achieving poverty reduction, food security, job creation and inclusive growth,” she stated.

The Convener, Helen Okon, who is the Publisher of Business Review Africa & Africa Today Magazine, as well as representatives of NAFDAC DG and NEXIM Bank MD, reaffirmed commitment to supporting women-owned businesses access standards, certification and finance.

The summit, with the theme of positioning women as drivers of trade and sustainable development, is part of activities marking the International Year of the Women Farmer.

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