NYSC Backs NIPR For Successful Hosting Of 2026 World PR Forum

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has pledged its support to the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) for the successful hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum scheduled to take place in November.

In a statement signed by Caroline Embu, Director, Information and Public Relations, the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, made the commitment when he received a delegation from the NIPR, led by its Vice President, Professor Emmanuel Dandaura, at his office in Abuja.

Nafiu stressed the importance of image-making and perception management to the survival and growth of organisations, noting that effective corporate communication was relevant across all sectors of society.

He commended NYSC Public Relations Officers for their efforts in projecting the image of the Scheme positively, noting that image-making and perception management had remained an integral part of the organisation since its establishment.

“Image-making and perception management has been part of NYSC since inception,” he said.

Read Also: NYSC, JAMB To Strengthen Collaboration

The NYSC Director General also commended Dandaura for his contributions to the establishment of the NYSC National Cultural Troupe.

He further praised the NIPR for its support and understanding during the recent abduction of 16 Corps Members in Kogi State, who were subsequently rescued by security agencies.

Nafiu assured the delegation that the other requests made by the institute in connection with the forthcoming forum would receive due consideration.

Earlier, Dandaura, who spoke on behalf of the NIPR President, Dr Ike Neliaku, congratulated Nafiu on his achievements during his peacekeeping missions and commended his accomplishments since assuming office as NYSC Director General.

He also praised the NYSC for mentoring Corps Members and exposing them to Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) opportunities.

Dandaura disclosed that representatives from 126 countries were expected to participate in the World Public Relations Forum, with more than 2,000 delegates projected to attend the week-long event.

He said the programme would feature several activities, including the unveiling of a University of Public Relations and Leadership to be established in Nasarawa State.

According to him, partnering with the NYSC would provide an opportunity to showcase the Scheme and Nigeria to the international community through the participation 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 organisation and coordination of the forum, stressing the need for well-trained Nigerian youths to interact with and guide 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 added that the NIPR was seeking to train and deploy 100 Corps Members to support 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,” Dandaura said.