By Adeola Kunle
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) towards the successful hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum, scheduled for November this year.
The NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, gave the assurance when he received a delegation from the NIPR, led by its Vice President, Professor Emmanuel Dandaura, at his office in Abuja.
General Nafiu highlighted the critical role of public relations, image-building and perception management in the sustainability and development of organisations. He noted that effective corporate communication remained essential across all sectors of society.
The NYSC Director General also praised the Scheme’s Public Relations Officers for their continued efforts to project a positive image of the organisation. According to him, strategic image management has remained an important component of the NYSC since its establishment.
“Image-making and perception management has been part of NYSC since inception,” he said.
General Nafiu equally commended Professor Dandaura for his contributions towards the establishment of the NYSC National Cultural Troupe.
He further appreciated the NIPR for its support and understanding during the recent abduction of 16 Corps Members in Kogi State, who were later rescued through the intervention of security agencies.
The NYSC boss assured the visiting delegation that the other requests presented by the institute in relation to the forthcoming World Public Relations Forum would receive appropriate consideration.
Earlier, Professor Dandaura, who represented the NIPR President, Dr Ike Neliaku, congratulated General Nafiu on his accomplishments during his peacekeeping missions and commended his achievements since taking over as the Chief Executive of the NYSC.
He also praised the NYSC for its efforts in mentoring Corps Members and providing them with opportunities through the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.
Professor Dandaura disclosed that delegates from 126 countries are expected to attend the World Public Relations Forum, with the event projected to attract more than 2,000 participants from different parts of the world.
He explained that the week-long programme would include several activities, among them the unveiling of a University of Public Relations and Leadership, which is to be established in Nasarawa State.
According to him, collaboration with the NYSC would create an avenue to present the Scheme and Nigeria positively to the international community, particularly through the involvement of foreign delegates.
“We have a youth summit and we are also unveiling a University of Public Relations and Leadership,” he said.
Dandaura appealed to the NYSC to provide Corps Members who would assist with the coordination and organisation of the international forum. He stressed that the event would require well-trained Nigerian youths capable of engaging with, assisting and guiding international participants.
“We think NYSC should take a central place because we are expecting a lot of guests. We need tour guides and Corps Members that will work with us, whom we can monitor their behaviour and who will sell Nigeria appropriately,” he said.
He further disclosed that the NIPR plans to train and deploy 100 Corps Members to assist with the successful execution of the event.
“We want to invite you to partner with us, and we want to have 100 Corps Members that we will train to work with us as participants,” he added.
Adeola Kunle
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