From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council, has expressed its readiness to deepen its existing partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the state.
The State NUJ Chairman, Abdullateef Ahmed, stated this in Ilorin, when he led members of his executive on a courtesy visit to the NYSC State Coordinator, Mr. Joshua Onifade.
Ahmed said the council was open to receiving corps members for their primary assignments, where they would be trained in the fundamentals of journalism and media practice.
“We believe this is the right time to strengthen our collaboration as partners to help address the challenge of unemployment in the country.
“Our facilities are available for use, and we are ready to collaborate on the deployment of corps members to the council as their Place of Primary Assignment (PPA).
“As a council, we want to create a platform where corps members can acquire practical journalism experience. It’s not only about getting employed but becoming employable.
“We intend to teach them the rudiments of journalism to prepare them for the realities of the profession because practical experience in the field is different from classroom theory,” he said.
Ahmed also proposed that the NYSC could use the NUJ Press Centre as a convergence point for corps members in the Editorial Community Development Service (CDS) Group.
He further suggested closer collaboration with the NYSC in media coverage of its events to prevent misrepresentation.
The NUJ chairman commended the proactive decision of the NYSC leadership to temporarily relocate its orientation camp from Yikpata in Edu Local Government Area to the Kwara State Polytechnic premises in Ilorin due to security concerns.
In his remarks, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mr. Joshua Onifade, reaffirmed the scheme’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the NUJ.
He described the collaboration between both bodies as vital, noting that they share a responsibility in shaping national progress and image.
Onifade also pledged to consider the NUJ council when assigning corps members to their primary places of assignment.
He, however, urged journalists to continue upholding professionalism and accuracy in their reportage.
“Journalists should always ensure that their headlines reflect the true content of their stories. Misleading headlines can cause harm and misrepresentation.
“It is not a good thing to avoid journalists, but at the same time, journalists must report responsibly.
“We must remember that when we project Nigeria or Kwara State negatively, it affects us all. Let us use the media as a tool to positively shape the mindset and orientation of our youth,” Onifade said.
