I AM a young football player from Lagos State. I play for the Mighty Touch Football Academy in Lagos. The purpose of writing this letter is to ask for assistance on how to develop my career as a footballer.
Therefore, I am appealing to the Lagos State Commissioner for Sports and other Nigerians who can be of help to contact me through this newspaper.
Obitunde Francis,
Alapere, Ketu,
The Counselling and Career Services Centre (CCSC) of the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, has organised a programme tagged Career Fair Exhibition for students and fresh graduates of the institution.
The programme in its maiden edition provided an avenue for the graduating students to display their talents and exhibit what they have for the labour market.
Speaking at the event, Mrs Olabisi Adedigba, the Coordinator of the centre, noted that the objective of the fair was to bring together KWASU students, different organisations and employers to meet the yearnings of the university to produce graduates who would not be job seekers but employers of labour.
Adedigba explained that collaboration with the organisations was necessary because they were in the best position to lead the students’ right, adding that they would be able to point out what the market needed and what the students were expected to bring to the labour world to attract potential employers.
“As graduating students of this great institution going into the world of work, it is important to intimate them with the information they need to be relevant graduates in the market. This fair will give them a unique insight into that which they need, to be relevant in the market especially in the 21st century,’’ she said.
Dr Yomi Akindele-Oscar, an Associate Professor of Health and Counselling Psychology at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, in his paper titled: Habits of Highly Effective Job Seekers in a Down Market, advised the students on the appropriate precautions and habits expected of a job seeker.
He warned that the career-life journey of an applicant is filled with challenges, adding that only graduates who are adaptive to change can survive and win the race of employment.
In her address titled: Vital Strategies to Maximise your Career Success Dr Mary Ogechi Esere, a lecturer at the Department of Counselling Education, University of Ilorin, stressed that self-discovery was the key to a successful career.
While identifying the importance of the possession of team spirit in any chosen career, she said: “No matter how hard you work or how many brilliant ideas you may have, if you can’t connect with the people who work around you, your professional life will suffer’’.
She advised against pessimism, poor-self-confidence and low self-esteem, saying they were anti-career.
For, Kwara State University, all activities were geared towards building the individual and a great nation while developing everyone to become elements of change.
In his presentation, titled: Building an enduring entrepreneurship drive before and after graduation, Dr Muritala Awodun, Dean, School of Business and Governance, said career life was full of obstacles. He explained that failure was not falling to the ground but the inability to rise after one has fallen.
In his remarks, Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof AbdulRasheed Na’Allah, said the event was to ascertain the activities of the university as a university for community development.
I AM a young football player from Lagos State. I play for the Mighty Touch Football Academy in Lagos. The purpose of writing this letter is to ask for assistance on how to develop my career as a footballer.
Therefore, I am appealing to the Lagos State Commissioner for Sports and other Nigerians who can be of help to contact me through this newspaper.
Obitunde Francis,
Alapere, Ketu,
A gender advocate, Mrs Kunbi Wuralola, has urged girls to desist from thinking that marriage is the freedom from their financial difficulties.
She made the call at this year’s Enactus Women Empowerment Conference which held in Lagos. The event drew participants from 25 tertiary institutions nationwide. Its theme was: “See possibilities, take actions and enable progress”.
She encouraged young women to pursue good career opportunities and advancement, as success from such undertaking, she believes, will attract good suitors. Besides, an outstanding career would also help women become better entrepreneurs and industrialists, transforming them from being liabilities to becoming assets to their generations, family, community and the society at large.
She however advised the students to learn different things as everything they picked up while growing will be useful one way or the other in the future.
“Marriage should not be the first priority a female child will think of accomplishing immediately after school rather carving a niche for herself in her career will attract the right suitor to her” Wuraola said.
Mrs Wuraola praised her contemporaries whom, despite natural challenges they face especially domestic chores, still try to make a difference.
“Women have an unfair race, we have to deal with different challenges amongst which are family, career, how we combine them without making one of them lack attention, and yet we still want to come out successful and be am blessing to our generation” Wuraola said.
An accountant and faculty advisor of Kwara State Polytechnic Mrs Omolara Ojulari, also advised the pupils neither to settle for less nor sets limits for their achievements.
“At the present age that you all are in, you cannot change but you can manage who you are. You must not limit your achievements. Be the trailblazer, be the opportunity, work towards it and success will be guaranteed,” Ojulari said.
She added that the challenge of leadership is the perception of weakness among the female folk, which to her is not true because the feminine race is so strong and capable of delivering which is the reason why they should not limit their achievements as a result of gender reasons.
“Females are built so strong yet we think we are weak; we have to find that inbuilt energy. Stop pushing women backward, we can do more” Ojulari added.
Mrs Benadine Okeke, an empowerment advisor, said there are opportunities in every adversary, which is the reason feminine race have to stand up and create opportunities for others despite that this is a trying times for Nigeria.
Sharing her experience, a participant Akuma Ezinne, an Accounting undergraduate of Babcock University Ilishan Remo, Ogun State, said she has learnt that her success is not based on the to push further to achieve greatness irrespective of her background.
Emmanuela Peter, an Accounting undergraduate of Kaduna State Polytechnic, said the conference has taught her that women should not limit themselves to what they can do because they are great leaders who are capable of doing great things, all they have to do is to find that inbuilt energy in them.
Mary Faromika , a Biology student of Federal University of Technology, Akure said she had been enlightened to pursue her career and strive to be a better person instead of thinking that her degree ends on the kitchen and cannot be practised.
Some of the participating schools include: Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, University of Lagos, Lagos, Kogi State University, Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo, and Tai Solarin University of Education, Ogun State.
His name might not ring any bell in Nollywood today, but Pa Ola Omonitan, popularly known by his stage name Ajimajasan is one of the earliest Yoruba theatre artistes to popularise comedy. At 74, Aji Father looks back at his career and expresses regret that he did not capitalise on the opportunities he had in the past to make lots of money. He spoke with BISI OLADELE
Though he has grown older than the face one used to see on the television screen some 30 years ago, Ajimajasan is still surprisingly agile. He hasn’t lost his idiosyncrasy. Ever smiling, happy and above all, filled with funny acts, even at 74.
After series of efforts to get him for this interview, Pa Ajimajasan, who is always courteous on the telephone and during face-to-face conversations, arranged our meeting for a near-public place at Dugbe, the central business district in Ibadan, Oyo State capital. On getting there, this reporter needed not ask anyone before sighting him. And his Ijesa dialect is still fresh and illuminating. It was an interesting one-hour encounter!
What was your first occupation in life?
I lost my father when I was eight years old. I went to primary school and after that I learnt to speak four different languages by reason of the tough conditions I encountered while growing up. I am from a polygamous family. Early in life, I went to Patigi, Kwara State, as a house boy with a European. I took this job because I hated begging. My first job was carpentry and I learnt it in Ibadan for six years, while I stayed with my brother, the late Adebisi Aromolaran. I am also talented in drama, but I took to carpentry as an alternative to drama so I could survive if drama went down. My contemporaries in drama are Ola Olumegbon, Lere Paimo, Ojo Ladipo, Moses Omilani, Jimoh Aliu and our mentors then were late Duro Ladipo, Bola Ogunmola, Oyin Adejobi, Baba Ogunde, Baba Sala. When I came into limelight in this drama job, we were connected with top people in the society including General Jembewon. But I made a mistake then because I didn’t utilise the opportunity to make additional income through those influential people because I have passion for this job. We were two prominent comedians then – Moses Olaiya (aka Baba Sala) and myself. Ojo Ladipo later joined the league.
During your days, drama was acted on stage but the situation had since changed. How would you compare comedy then and now?
The present comedians deserve to be praised because they are performing well, they took it from where we stopped to the current level. They are now doing better all the things we could not do. I was the first comedian to act a comedy series for one year. 52 episodes of one hour each on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) from 1981. It was aired on all the NTA stations. We started with “Omo Araye Le”, “Bata Wahala” and “Ogun L’aye.” You cannot compare our own days with the present because we were underdeveloped then but all our works really made a mark.
Do you have any relationship with the present generation of comedians?
Yes, I do. Babatunde Omidina (aka Baba Suwe) and Sanyeri, among others do still come to seek advice from me.
What was your troupe like in those days and how will you describe your achievement then?
I always thank God for giving me the opportunity to be able to gather that troupe. Baba Sala was a one-man comedian and a role model, but I didn’t like imitating others. Baba Sala’s comedy show was on Wednesdays, ours was on Mondays. If you see most of our comedians now they copy Baba Sala because they prefix their name with ‘Baba’. But instead of calling myself Baba Something, I called myself ‘Ajimajasan’, that was where I showed my uniqueness.
How did you come across that name?
My maternal grandmother used to sell meat and I used to eat meat a lot. So, she used to call me Ajimajasan (a meat lover). When she later died I took after that name in order to always remember her. I gained stardom during my days to the extent that before appearing on stage, the audience will be laughing already and that was what gave me an edge over Baba Sala. My troupe comprised Baba Eleko, Iya Ijebu, Adamson, Jacob, Aderupoko, Papilolo and myself. We were seven. We trained ourselves to the extent that within five minutes on state you had to produce a comedy. My troop was very strong then but at the end of the day we got separated.
What caused the separation?
It was because we wanted to copy the white men. There was a foreign comedian called ‘Jester.’ I told my troupe members that we should create another troupe called ‘Jester,’ that will not be limited only to the stage but would also offer stand-up comedy, entertaining guests at social gatherings. Papilolo had the talent of converting songs to create jokes. Jacob also had the ability to display. Aderupoko could also convert songs and it was accepted by the audience. But later, some members of my troupe decided to stay alone because they believed they could stand alone. When they told me that they wanted to stand alone, I was shocked. The three of them – Jacob, Papilolo and Ader-upoko left in a day. I said there is no problem. A good composer should not be afraid, if any of his members was leaving his troupe. It was Papilolo that brought the idea of converting songs to create jokes in a stand-up comedy and it was well accepted by the audience. When they left, some people were of the opinion that I should not have allowed them to leave the same day but I told them that I cannot hinder their progress. Jacob served me for 13 years, Aderupoko served for eight years, and Papiplolo, six years. So, I saw no reason why I should hold them down when they wanted to leave for greener pasture. Their leaving didn’t affect me because I was the one God gave the idea of composition in the troupe. They were like organists while I was the musician. So, it did not affect me but what hurt me most was that when I took a script to Lagos for a show, I was told that most of the script had been acted by the three of them. I also went to other states, I was told the same thing. So, I called them for a meeting and asked them what was happening to all my scripts. They have left my group but they were still performing my comedy in their shows. But Jacob laughed and said: “When a carpenter finishes apprenticeship from his boss, his products will be exactly like his boss’. Then, I said no problem, but I ask them for prayers and I also prayed for them and we departed. They were very nice boys to me and I had confidence in them.
You earlier mentioned that Baba Sala was your senior in the business. Did you always compete?
Yes, we did. People turned us into enemies which ought not to happen. Again, some artists believed that we were competing enemies but I did not see it that way. I like Baba Sala because he was a good comedian and I always praised him for that. When our misunderstanding started he went to the North and we were given his time on NTA every Wednesday instead of our normal Monday. When he came back he was annoyed with the new arrangement, saying that we also took the show’s name ‘Awada’ from (his) ‘Alawada’ series. So, he said he was taking us to court for that and NTA said it was ready to defend us because it was NTA that gave us that stage name but later we did not hear anything from the court again.
How will you rate this present generation’s comedy?
What we have not seen or done in our time are now being included in today’s comedy. They now incorporate new things and the world itself is changing fast. We have strange things happening today. Imagine, homosexuality in the society today. That didn’t happen during our time. The more the world is changing, the more comedy activities will be changing. I recently saw a picture and story in the newspaper that a father wanted to sell his six children and he put them inside a wheel barrow. If a comedian uses that as his story line all the audience will laugh. But during our time the audience will not believe it because all those evil things were hard to find then.
In your days there was nothing like Nollywood, but now we have comedians, artistes and others making waves in the industry and they are making a lot of money now. Did you ever imagine it could be this better?
At all, we didn’t believe that it can get to this level because only cinema films were fashionable then. We didn’t even believe we could start acting at all. It was Orlando Martins that acted a film then and he was speaking Yoruba. So, the audience was thrilled. So, the movie was showed for seven days instead of three days because everybody was rushing the ticket. It was only the white men that produced film then. Orlando was a Yoruba man but schooled in America. He was just like an angel then. Whenever we touched his hands we will not want to wash it off. Most Nigerian artistes, then, too could not believe they can appear on the screen.
Looking at the industry now and the money in it, would you have wished that Nollywood had come during your time?
Although, we wish we could have Nollywood during our days but money was hard to find in our time. But the Naira was strong then because I can remember I bought a new Mercedez Benz car then for N10,500. I bought my Volvo car for N6,500. But now, there is money in Nollywood, we thank God for that and we also thank God that we are still relevant in the history of comedy and acting in Nigeria.
Nollyhood has really reduced the work of the artistes because actions are magnified to be the best with new technological equipment. But, during our time, we would work hard to get the best. Most of today’s artistes are doing well and making more money every day, but I thank God that I am alive to witness it because I would have died. There was no such money during our days and the industry was full of stigmatisation. Any woman acting would be labelled a prostitute then. There was a female banker in 1982 that came to our location. She wanted to join our group. That was when I started suspecting that there is a great future for our profession. I was in Lagos then because I had relocated to Lagos when my boys left me and I started another new system because I believe in myself and I won another contract with a telecom outfit for ‘Omo Araye Le’. There was a time a white man was carrying out a research with us and I told him that I did not want to marry more than one wife. I told him that I was afraid, that bringing in more women may lead me into marrying more wives. But he advised that the best thing to do was to bring them in as guest artistes. We would give them a script and put them on payroll. So, when I got to Lagos I started inviting all the artistes and we acted ’Omo Araye Le.’ The artistes included Baba Wande, Lere Paimo, Bello, Aluwe and others. What the white man taught me was what I used to produce ‘Omo Araye Le’ and ‘Bata Wahala’ and they were acceptable to our fans.
How do you source materials for your plays?
They come in two forms. We develop them from true life story, although it may be tragic to the fans. We also get some in our dreams or sometimes in the news.
Ajimajasan was a very popular name in the past but the present generation don’t seem to know you by that name, what happened?
When I relocated from Ibadan to Lagos, I discovered that it would be a difficult thing for non-Yoruba to pronounce ‘Ajimajasan.’ So, I changed it to ‘Baba No Regret’, ‘Awaiting Millionaire’ or ‘A fool at 40 is a fool forever’. So it was easy for every tribe to pronounce it.
I was sick sometime ago when I had prostate cancer. It was discovered late, and I spent so much money. I even taught I would die. The sickness started about six years ago but God took control when Aare Musulunmi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola-Alao came to my aid. I was even duped by some people just because I wanted to be healed. They passed a 36ft rubber hose into me to urinate but when Alhaji Arisekola came to my aid, I went to South Africa for the surgery and he was the one who paid the bills.
I was surprised and told him that I don’t know why he likes me so much because I am a Christian and he is a Muslim. But he laughed and said that Nigerians must overgrow the sentiment of religion and work for the progress of the country. He said Nigerians need to cultivate this idea of helping one another without being religion biased. I thank God that I am healthy now.
What is the state of your health now?
I thank God for His mercy because I am healthy now and my struggle will continue. Very soon a film on Nigerian politics will be released and the title is ‘Do or Die.’ It is aimed at warning politicians against do-or-die politics. I have to work in order to be able to feed myself.
With your long years of experience you don’t need to work hard again. At which level do you wish to operate in the movie industry?
I want to participate in drama but money will decide the position one will be. The amount of money you have for the production will determine your role. If I have money and a good sponsor, all the new technologies used by the foreign artistes will be used for the production. I am also scared of piracy. They will buy one disc and go to Alaba Market to mass dub it into millions of copies. We will sell our film at N300, they sell theirs at N100. We have complained to the government but till date, there is nothing they could do to stop them. If a producer spends N10 million on the production of a film, if he is not careful, piracy will plunge him into debt.
Is any of your children into acting of comedy?
Although, they wish to do but I didn’t allow them. I like the idea that ‘Oga Bello’ adopted. Our children should first graduate from the university, have all the necessary degrees and then, they can do anything they like. Look at Femi Adebayo now. He is a lawyer – competent one for that matter. So, many of his (Bello’s) children did the same thing. If drama goes down, they will be able to rely on their profession.
As an icon in this industry, what is your advice for the upcoming artistes and those intending to be?
I pray they will be able to listen to my advice and yield to it. From experience, they should have another vocation or skill and should not depend on drama alone. They should look for a profitable business to rely upon because of the future and that was the mistake I made when I finished learning my furniture work. I should have continued with it. I would not have found myself in this mess.
Now that you have made the big tran-sition through job hunting and landed the job, the next goal is job success. Don’t take that for granted. There are specific skills you need to know and use to be successful at your job. It’s important to practise these skills prior to starting the job. First impressions show from day one. You only get one opportunity to create first impression.
What follows here isn’t a complete list. It’s a good idea to check with your direct boss about what’s most important.An important information for you: employers say many people lose their job because they don’t use good work habits and not because they are unable to do the job.The following list of suggestions is based on feedback form a majority of surveyed employers.
Employers expectations
• A positive attitude is one of the most important factors in achieving job success. Don’t carry negative feelings into your new workplace. Resolve them elsewhere.
• Always be on time. How long will it take to get to work? Allow a few extra minutes for traffic problems and getting children to school. Set an alarm clock to help you get up. Being reliable and dependable gains the trust and respect of your new employer.
• Good attendance and promptness are always important. It you’re going to be unavoidably late or out sick, find out the proper method of informing them.
• Know and follow office rules, policies and procedures.Read the employee manuals. Please find out the informal rules.
• Listen and learn. Be open to new ways of doing things, even if you have taught differently in school or on a different job. Don’t be quick to find fault, criticise or complain until you can prove you can do something a better way.
• Meet and exceed your employer’s expectations.
• Learn all you can about the job you were hired to do before thinking about moving up.
Communication
• When you need to talk with your supervisor, ask when would be a good time to meet.
• Take advantage of your performance reviews. Stay calm. Learn from them. Ask how you can improve. Show results or jobs-related classes you’ve taken. Most Supervisors appreciate employees who are concerned about performance and in finding ways to improve. Your job success is also their success.
• Be a team player. Be willing to help. Know the goals of your job and how your job fits into the overall organisation. Avoid a “know-it-all attitude.”Try to fit in with the team. Keep your sense of humour.
• Ask for help when you need it. If you make a mistake, let your supervisor know immediately. Find the proper chain of command. Discuss items with your supervisor first.
Personal
• Prior to starting the job, have all your appointments with doctors, dentists, etc., out of the way. Have your transportation and daycare lined up so you don’t immediately have to take time off. Have an emergency plan for daycare and transportation.
• Be willing to learn new skills. Keep a record of classes you’re taking that relate to the job. Review this with your supervisor at an appropriate time.
• Take time in making new friends. Find positive and upbeat co-workers. Avoid negative, critical and gossiping people.
• Be clean and well groomed. Wear clean and job-appropriate clothes. Pay attention to how your coworkers are dressed. Avoid wearing strong perfumes or colognes.
• Keep you personal life and problems at home. Do not use the employer’s equipment and time to do personal things like making personal phone calls, using the copy machine or resolving your personal problems on the job. If you’re having trouble resolving personal problems, counseling, support groups or employee assistance programmes may be useful.
• Create the image. Dress for the job you want next.
• Be patient with yourself and your employer. It takes time to get used to, learn and like a new job.
• Volunteer to projects and committees if your work is completed and your supervisor approves.
PUPILS of Elias Secondary School, Oke-Odo, a Lagos suburb have received guidance in some professions. They include law, teaching, journalism, medicine, piloting and nursing.
The event, which held on the school’s premises, saw the pupils decked in dresses depicting their future professions. For example, while ‘future doctors’ donned the characteristic white overall complemented with a stethoscope slung over their neck, their counterparts ‘lawyers’ were resplendent in their wigs and gowns.
The school’s Principal, Rev. Joshua Adewale Afolabi, said the school decided to hold the one-day event for four reasons: to make the pupils more focused in their studies, inspire them in their choice of career, know their station in life as well as gains and prospects of their chosen career. “This was why we brought the professionals in their attires, so that the pupils can see them. That is, to enhance and broaden their horizon for the future,” he said.
One of the chief speakers, Godwin Nsoanga, a medical doctor, gave tips on what it takes to be in his shoes. “You need more concentration. You must be determined to succeed through hard work and prayer. You must be closer to God. I used to pray before I entered the exam hall. Even after graduation, you need to be closer to God. People will want to bribe you to kill a patient.”
He added: “Today, some students are not ready to read. That is why they spend a lot of time looking for ‘special centres’ to register, where they can cheat to pass.”
Also a lawyer, Mr Samuel Afilaka, advised parents not to force their wards into any career.
“In any profession, you must have passion and interest, he said, adding: “You must have basic knowledge of the English Language,have credit passes in five subjects and attend a university to study law. “Can a Christian defend criminals?” some of the curious pupils had enquired. “Yes,” Afilaka responede, “the law presumes every one innocent until found guilty.”
A matron with the Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos, Gloria Olatunji, spoke on nursing. She said: “In nursing we care and serve people. In the hospital, nurses take care of patients. They are always neat and ready to receive people into the hospital. You are expected to put in extra hours of work. “ To study the five-year course, one needs Physics, Biology and Chemistry. After graduation, you register with the appropriate professional organi-sation, she said.
Gbenga Olusemo, a Firstbank employee, said to be a successful banker, one needs to be trustworthy, dependable and reliable. “It is a service industry. You must be a good listener and be ready to serve people. The industry is full of risks. A little carelessness can mar one’s career or even send one to jail. Take your studies serious if you want to go into the profession,” he admonished.
Captain Tega Jason Gbidi, a pilot is of Arik Airline. He told the excited children that fascination about flying drove him into the profession.
“If you have passion, you will get to where you want to be.”
The school’s Administrator Mrs Oluwakemi Oluwagunna, described teaching as a noble profession. She emphasised passion as an attribute expected of a good teacher.
“All you need to be a good teacher is the passion to teach. Beside, you must be a good listener, leader and reader.”Teachers impart knowledge.”
At the event, a book titled: Hope of a child, written by Miss Onipede Tolu, which was launched on May 1, was read to the pupils’ delight.
Provost Topmost College of Education, Ipaja, Lagos Dr Mabel Odunayo has urged those going into the teaching profession to be proud of themselves and not see career as one for the not-do-wells in the society.
Speaking at the matriculation of the newly admitted students who have just secured admission into the college’s Professional Diploma in Education(PDE) for the 2012/2013 academic year, Odunayo said today, the ‘chalk’ profession is more rewarding with teachers reaping them on earth and in the hereafter. And what fulfilled a teacher with natural calling for the job, she added, is the unquantifiable joy he or she derives seeing the students she once moulded succeed in future. “That is the fulfillment of every teacher; no one can place value on such joy,” she said.
She therefore urged them to shun any act that can disturb the smooth running of their programmes in school. Congratulating the new students, Chairman of the college Governing Council, Mr Wale Odunayo, admonished them to see their matriculation as the beginning of their journey into professional teaching.
“I want to assure you all that as you will be graduating in the next three years, you will be awarded with the Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) certificate that will qualify you as professional teachers that are duly certified,” he said.
Administering the oath on the inductees, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) Prof Addison Wokocha said the council was established under Decree 31 of 1993 (now TRCN Act CapT3 of 2004) with a mandate to, among others things, determine qualified teachers as well as what standards of knowledge and skills are to be attained by persons aspiring to become teachers.
“In exercising this mandate, TRCN directs its vision to regulate teacher education, training and practice at all levels of the education system in order to match teacher quality, discipline, professionalism, reward and dignity with international standards,” Wokocha added.
A Corps member serving in Enugu State, Tosin Adesile, has floated a career fair for graduates and students with a view to proffer solution to the unemployment challenge facing the nation.
The fair is billed to be attended by the Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Tunde Lemo, who would present a keynote address on Opening new grounds: Breaking the barriers of unemployment through sustainable development. The programme will be chaired by Sen. Adegbenga Kaka.
Other speakers include Prof Raheem Bello, Online Editor, The Nation newspaper, Mr Lekan Otufodunrin, Dean of Social Science Faculty, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Omololu Soyombo, Mr Gbenga Adeyinka, Sir Prince Niyi Olatidoye and Seyi Law, all comedians, will be at the occasion.
The Ogun International Career Market (OGIOCM) is a career building programme designed to rescue frustrated youths from the grip of unemployment. The participants will be taught how to turn idea to money-spinning venture.
The programme, which is coming up on June 13 in the main auditorium, UNILAG, would afford job seekers and prospective entrepreneurs opportunity to meet employers of labour and gain motivational tips from successful people.
Tosin, a Mass Communication graduate from UNILAG, said the programme had been designed in a way that people who were ready to break free would be the ones to benefit from the programme.
Expected participants at the event include post graduate student, members of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), students, graduates and other categories of job seekers who want to generate employment for others.
Highlight of the event will include business talks and motivational lectures. Gifts would also be won at the event.
Hopes for a better future rose for unemployed graduate job seekers in Lagos as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) organised its maiden career fair for them.
For most of the participants at the fair who came from different parts of the country, it was a rewarding experience to meet with employers of labour at the interactive forum, who willingly revealed to them the ‘secrets’ of securing jobs in their establishments.
The fair, aside from offering the applicants opportunity to interact with employers of labour and have an on-the-spot assessment, also availed fresh graduates the opportunity of acquainting themselves with self-enhancing skills.
Some of the participants who spoke with Newsextra during the one-day session held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan Lagos said that they were overwhelmed by revelations at the fair.
One of the participants, Deborah Ojeabulu who is a graduate of Accountancy said that she had received assurances from three reputable organisations that she would be invited for interview.
She said: “I know the number of times I have submitted my Curriculum Vitae to firms for job offers. I have never received any response. At a point, I began to feel that something was wrong with me. But my coming here today opened my eyes to a lot of things I did not know before now.
“I learnt how to write a CV that is fit for a purpose. I also got some tips from the human resource managers of the companies I have interest in.
“After that, I was assessed on the spot and they have promised to invite me for in-house interview.
“So, with the information I have gained here today, I can tell you that I am better positioned to know the right answers to questions; know what to do at any point. The least I can say right now is ‘bye bye to unemployment’ and a very big thanks to ACCA.”
Continuing, she said: “Really, it is hard to get this kind of opportunity, unless for the very privileged few in our society. So, I really appreciate ACCA for doing this for some of us who would not have had the opportunity. I now have contacts of the human resource personnel of these going concerns. So, it was indeed worth the while.”
Another participant, Joke Adebayo said she received tips on how she can fit in.
She said: “Out of the three companies I interacted with here, two told me they employ strictly first-class graduates and the third gave me tips on how I can fit in.
“I think the forum has been useful. I would not have known that some of the organisations I have been sending my CVs to are sticklers for first-class graduates. I also had the opportunity of meeting the recruitment personnel of these multi-nationals and big firms one-on-one. So, to me, it was a great experience.”
The Country Manager, ACCA, Mrs. Toyin Ademola said that the fair was the organisation’s way of giving back to the society because the organisation has realised that it was not easy for young job seekers to meet with their prospective employers.
“We have discovered that a lot of Nigerian students have the technical skills but sometimes lack the ability to meet with potential employers. Many of the employers of labour want to talk with either fresh graduates from universities or technical colleges.
“So, we decided, as part of our corporate social responsibilities, to organise this fair where employers of labour who are our partners will interact with these young ones.
“There are jobs out there. Employers of labour are looking for workers but most job seekers do not have the right skills, neither do they know what their potential employers are looking out for.
“ACCA recognised this avenue as an opportunity to offer both the potential employers and job seekers the opportunity of meeting themselves.
“In trying to link the professional students with their employers, we discovered that they lack the soft skill to excel. That is why we brought in recruitment consultants as well to teach them what to do; how to write CVs and how to respond to questions at interviews, among others.
“We intend to let people know they have the opportunity of getting a good job; a situation that will help in reducing the rate of unemployment,” she said.
Ademola, who said the maiden edition, was strictly for graduates of Banking and Finance noted that the organisation decided to start with them because that was its area of specialty.
“We have been doing this in-house for ACCA student members for a while. But this is the first time we are bringing the employers together as well as involving graduates of finance who are non-members.
“You can see that everywhere is busy. We have some students from Abia and Benue states as well as Abuja. We also have some graduates from Lagos. This is an evidence that our efforts are appreciated; it shows this is actually the avenue young graduates need and it makes me happy that the students are appreciating our efforts,” she said.
In a chat with Newsextra, Director, sub-Saharan Africa of ACCA, Jamil Ampomah, said that the fair was geared towards bringing employers and potential employees together in a bid to reducing unemployment in the country.
“As an organisation, ACCA is in a position to bring the parties together so that employers looking for workers can meet with job seekers. We feel it is a way through which we can help in reducing the rate of employment in the country. It will also ensure that these employers assess the candidates and possibly offer those that fit into their requirements jobs,” he said.
Among the firms that partnered with ACCA in the fair were United Bank for Africa (UBA), KPMG, Oye Dynamix, Price Water Cooper (PWC), United African Company (UAC), Airtel and Mansard.