Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council has restated ts readiness to strengthen the existing partnership with the office of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the state.
State NUJ Chairman, Abdullateef ‘Lanre Ahmed, said this in Ilorin today when he led members of his Executive on a Courtesy Visit to NYSC State Coordinator, Mr Joshua Onifade.
He said the Council is ready to accept Corps Members on Primary Assignment, for them to be trained on the rudiments of journalism.
The Chairman explained that the Council believe that this is the time to come together as partners to address the high rate of unemployment.
According to him, the NUJ would teach them the rudiments of journalism to help them when they finish service.
He asserted that the rationale is to make them ready to work in the outside world, as practical on the field is different from the theory they were taught in school.
Comrade Ahmed maintained that NYSC can also use the NUJ Press Centre as a point of convergence for corps members on Editorial Community Development Service Group and also partner NUJ in terms of coverage of events, to avoid misrepresentation.
The Chairman, however, commended the proactiveness of the NYSC leadership to relocate its Orientation Camp from Yikpata, Edu Local Government, to the premises of Kwara Polytechnic, Ilorin, due to insecurity.
Responding, State NYSC Coordinator, Mr Joshua Onifade pledged the scheme’s readiness to strengthen its partnership with the NUJ.
Mr. Onifade said the partnership of both bodies is important as stakeholders doing their best to ensure Nigeria is doing well amongst the committee of nations.
He promised to consider the Council when sending Corps Members to their Places of Primary Assignment.
The State Coordinator, urged Journalists to always uphold professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
He called on journalists to be mindful of the headlines they give to their stories, as some of them often negate the body of the stories.
Mrm Onifade charged journalists to be using their media to change the mindset and orientation of the youth.
