Verify your stories, NYSC DG tells journalists

The Director General National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim, has called on the media as critical stakeholders in the unity of Nigeria to always verify its stories before going to press.

Ibrahim stated this on Thursday at a Journalists Colloquium organised by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Headquarters chapel, Abuja.

Ibrahim, who was represented by the Director Press and Public Relations, Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, complained about the rate of unverified stories about the scheme constantly shun out, saying the scheme has always had cordial relationship with the media as it operates an open door policy, which affords journalists to clarify their reports.

She cited an example of a story recently where a prospective corps member was said to have died why going to collect her call up letter, adding that the story was wrong as corps members had already left camp weeks ago before the said accident.

She said those clamouring for the scraping are definitely not abreast with the invaluable contributions of the scheme to the unity and development of the country.

According to her, NYSC has come of age, and it is not just preaching unity and oneness but doing it in all ramifications.

“We talk beyond our states of origin but about what brings us together. Corps members have done lots for the development of the nation, therefore the contribution of the scheme is invaluable,” the statement said.

On posting of Corps members across the country, the DG said Corps members are only posted to states adjudged safe by the security agencies, adding that NYSC is in active partnership with all the security agencies because the safety of Corps members are critical to the management.