By Danjuma Amodu
The President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr Ike Neliaku, has said the reputation and long-term relevance of the National Youth Service Corps will depend largely on how its communication officers manage perception and deliver value.
He spoke in Abuja on Thursday at the 2026 annual workshop for NYSC Public Relations, Media and Protocol Officers drawn from across the states and the FCT.
The workshop, with the theme “Managing Perception, Protecting Reputation: Communication Strategies for NYSC,” focused on strengthening the capacity of officers responsible for managing the image and stakeholder engagement of the scheme.
According to Neliaku, great institutions are not products of chance but of deliberate, sustained efforts, with communication playing a central role in shaping public trust.
Citing American researcher and author Jim Collins, he noted that organisations that achieve global relevance do so by design, not accident, and urged participants to see themselves as critical drivers of the NYSC’s future standing.
He charged the officers to uphold professional standards and reflect excellence in their conduct, describing them as frontline ambassadors whose work directly influences how the public perceives the Corps.
The NIPR President also urged NYSC communication officers to take advantage of upcoming professional platforms, including the World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) scheduled for November 15 to 21, 2026 in Abuja, to deepen their expertise and expand professional networks.
He reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to supporting communication practitioners across public institutions with training and platforms that enhance institutional value and public confidence.
