NYSC, Communication Skills and Nation Building
By Haroon Aremu
In today’s world where experience is the best teacher and learning never ends, the importance of practical knowledge and skills cannot be downplayed. As a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, I feel delighted for the opportunity given to me by my Place of Primary Assignments (PPA)- the Image Merchant Promotions Limited (IMPR, Abuja to be part of a program that equips young Nigerians like myself with invaluable communication skills and experiences.
This opportunity is not taken for granted, and I hope that reputable government agencies will recognize the potential of corps members to apply what they learn in contributing their quota to the quest for nation-building and make Nigeria great again.
The critical role of communication in good information delivery and transparent governance was the focal point at a recent one-day capacity-building training themed: “The Role of the Official Secrets Acts in Maintaining Confidentiality and National Security.”
The event which took place on July 2nd, 2024, in Abuja, was organized by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR).
The welcome address delivered by the Director General of the BPSR, Mr. Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi, underscored the importance of communication in ensuring effective governance and the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration to economic revival.
Arabi emphasized that communication managers are crucial in avoiding misinformation and disinformation. Proper information management and delivery are essential to preserving the integrity and confidentiality of security agencies. He highlighted the necessity of utilizing traditional and social media for good information delivery, promoting public engagement, and implementing strategic communication plans. Arabi also stressed that reforms and the introduction of new policies are inevitable and that good communication practices are essential for national development.
Dr. Ike Neliku, President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), delivered a goodwill message emphasizing the need for continuous training and retraining of communicators. He encouraged the promotion of goodwill and relationship building, highlighting that communication is a leadership function critical for managing organizations. He emphasized that Information Officers must be integral to all operational aspects.
Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, highlighted the challenges in information dissemination and inadequate data delivery, which can lead to misinformation. He commended the efforts of the NIPR, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the federal government in tackling the misuse of information on social media, urging them to continue their efforts.
The event featured insightful presentations from notable speakers. Dr. Bala Muhammad from Bayero University, discussed the risks of reputation damage in the current era of Renewed Hope, emphasizing the importance of timely communication in reputation management. He supported his presentation with examples and scholarly citations.
Prof. Oke Ikechukwu, Executive Director of Development Specs Academy, took attendees on a journey of renewing hope and strengthening national unity through effective communication. He stressed the importance of background facts and factual communication, urging public relations officers to be organized and creative in intercultural communication. Prof. Ikechukwu emphasized unity over uniformity and the importance of understanding the political economy of our environment.
Mrs. Beatrice Jeddy Agba, the Solicitor General, presented the role of the Official Secrets Acts in maintaining confidentiality and national security. Mr. Yushau Shuaib, Editor-in-Chief of PRNigeria, encouraged the embracement of social media and artificial intelligence, managed with creativity in administration and governance, to develop our society at large.
As a corps member, I am inspired by these discussions and the call to action. The knowledge and experience gained through the NYSC program are invaluable assets that can significantly contribute to national development. By integrating corps members into key roles within government agencies, we can help elevate and support the Renewed Hope administration in its mission to make Nigeria great again.
Experience shapes our future, and the journey of learning never truly ends. The call for reputable government agencies to give corps members like my humble self, the opportunity to implement what we have learned is not just a personal ambition but a national objective.
Together, we can elevate our nation and support the Renewed Hope administration in making Nigeria a land of Hope and prosperity.
Haroon Aremu Abiodun is a youth Corp Member with PRNigeria Center Abuja and wrote in via [email protected].
