The NPC Press Corps mourns the President and pledges to support collaboration with the media

The press corps of the National Population Commission (NPC) has commiserated with the leadership of the Commission over the death of its Chairman, Dr Aminu Yusuf, describing the late administrator as a media-friendly leader committed to strengthening the relationship between the Commission and journalists.

The Press Corps, led by its President, Joshua Adams, made the appeal on Thursday during a condolence visit to the NPC headquarters in Abuja, where the delegation presented a condolence letter and signed the Commission’s condolence register.

The delegation was received by the Federal Commissioner representing Plateau State and Acting Head of the Office of the President, Mary Ishaya Afan, together with other Federal Commissioners, the Director General and senior staff of the Department of Public Affairs.

Speaking during the visit, Adams described Yusuf as a media lover who understood the importance of journalists in communicating the Commission’s activities and findings to Nigerians.

He recalled that the Press Corps met the late president on three occasions before his death, stressing that Yusuf consistently expressed his willingness to work closely with the media.

“At the last commemoration of World Population Day, that was the last time we met him. He asked us to draw up a program of activities and share it with him so that we could work together to design the Commission’s activities,” Adams said.

He revealed that the Press Corps has around 34 member platforms from major media organizations across the country.

In response, Afan said the late President placed considerable importance on media engagement as part of his seven-point program for the Commission.

“No matter how hard you work, if you don’t work closely with the media team, the information won’t get out,” he said.

Afan assured the delegation that the Commission will support the programs initiated by the late president, saying: “We will not cancel any of them. We would like to have these activity programs as soon as possible so that we can put them in immediately.”

The Federal Commissioner representing Oyo State and Chairman of the Public Affairs Committee, Dr Eyitayo Oyetunji, said the Commission was in shock over the death of Yusuf, recalling its willingness to deepen dialogue with the media.

“We thank you for this visit. The NPC will do everything we can to support the mission and this collaboration we have with you,” Oyetunji said.

Furthermore, NPC Director-General Dr Abuh Mohammed described Yusuf as a visionary leader who sought to transform the Commission through his seven-point agenda.

He said the late President was a leader who took everyone forward rather than bossing people around, assuring that the Commission would do everything possible to uphold and implement his policies.