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NUJ President Tasks NYSC PR, Protocol Officers On Innovation

Published

3 years ago

October 27, 2023

Joel Ajayi

The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Chris Isiguzo has charged NYSS Public Relations Officers on the need to embrace innovation in order to stay relevant in the industry.

He charged them as custodians of NYSC publicity to be more committed to their responsibilities.

He stated this in his goodwill message at the 2023 NYSC Public Relations and Protocol Officers’ Workshop held in Abuja.

Comrade Iziguzo added that effective Public Relations needs the application of professional ethics, critical thinking, and expertise.

“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.

Earlier, the Director, of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Eddy Megwa said that given the increasing scrutiny of the affairs of NYSC by stakeholders, there was a 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, of Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr Ike Neliaku said the importance of NYSC in nation-building cannot be overemphasized.

While declaring the workshop open, the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General YD Ahmed said the Scheme would sponsor Public Relations Officers to attend the FRCN Training School, NTA College as well as the NIPR training programs.

He added that the gesture will equip the officers for the optimal discharge of their responsibilities.

General Ahmed urged the workshop participants to understand that the forum serves as an avenue for them, as reputation managers of the NYSC Scheme, to realign their Public Relations strategies with a view to effectively tackle emerging challenges.

He used the forum to warn Corps Members on the dangers of attending late-night parties, night journeys, and boarding vehicles at unauthorized locations.

According to him; “Management is aware of the critical role of Protocol and PR Officers in projecting the good image of the NYSC, especially through various professional activities that have engendered public appreciation of its invaluable contributions to national unity and development.

“Despite your celebrated accomplishments, I hasten to remind you of the dynamic nature of your job and, in particular, the challenges that have put the scheme in the spotlight in recent times. We must view threats coming from detractors, especially through social media, with utmost seriousness.

This informed the choice of the theme of this workshop, “Managing and Improving the Reputation of the NYSC: The Roles and Responsibilities of PR Officers.” The training will equip you for improved performance in line with my administration’s policy on capacity building.

This forum serves as an avenue for you, as reputation managers, to realign our PR strategies with a view to effectively tackling emerging challenges.

“At the end, you are expected to raise the bar of your output, particularly in monitoring the media and issuing timely rejoinders or releases to counter negative publications,” he charged.

General Ahmed also urged the participants to deploy the available platforms for sensitization of serving and prospective Corps Members on security consciousness.

“You are expected to draw their attention to the dangers of night journey, boarding of vehicles at unauthorized locations, attendance of late-night parties, and acceptance of car rides from strangers, amongst other risky acts.

In the same vein, Management places great emphasis on the dress code for Corps Members. In this regard, I urge you to pay special attention to it,” he charged.

To further equip the officers to discharge their responsibilities, the DG said NYSC will be sponsoring PR officers to attend the FRCN Training School, the NTA TV College as well and NIPR training programs.

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AWESSA 2026: Customs Assures Border Cooperation for Women Entrepreneurs

Published

7 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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