Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — As part of creating sustainable livelihoods for the Ogoni people, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, has concluded the first phase of career enhancement and employability workshop for Ogoni fresh graduates and students in tertiary institutions.
The two-day training designed to enable Ogoni youths acquire relevant skills and a progressive mindset to guide them toward a future filled with promise and potential, includes mentorship, critical thinking, digital literacy, team spirit, effective communication, problem-solving, networking, teamwork, among others.
Speaking at the event, HYPREP Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, said acquisition of relevant skills was not a means to an end but rather a journey of personal and professional growth, describing it as an investment in oneself that was profitable and pays dividends throughout one’s career.
Zabbey urged the Ogoni youths to seize the opportunity provided by HYPREP to expand their horizons, embrace the unfamiliar, cultivate a lifelong learning mindset and focus on remaining valuable and resilient in uncertainty; while emphasizing that personal growth only occurs at the intersection of challenge and opportunity.
He stated that the workshop was imperative to enable young Ogoni people navigate the modern career and job market complexities, as it was in HYPREP’s interest for them to acquire relevant knowledge and skills to succeed, explaining that a key feature of the Project’s livelihood restoration strategy was supporting education and acquiring relevant skills.
He said: “As fresh graduates, aspiring professionals, undergraduates, and critical stakeholders in the Ogoni community, it is crucial to recognize the challenges and complexities of today’s ever-evolving career and job market. Gone are the days when academic credentials alone sufficed to secure employment; in today’s competitive landscape, employers increasingly seek candidates with various skills and competencies.
“At the heart of our discussion lies adaptability- the ability to navigate change, embrace new opportunities, and continuously evolve in response to shifting demands. In a world characterized by rapid technological advancements and economic transformation, the skills in demand today may be different tomorrow. HYPREP recognizes these realities, and we will continue to create a platform like this.
“One of the cornerstones of career enhancement and employability is the development of transferable skills, which include versatile competencies and attributes that transcend specific job roles and industries. By sharpening these skills, you enhance your employability and position yourself as a valuable asset to prospective employers. And if you choose to be an entrepreneur or to further your education, the outcome is the same.
“Also, it is essential to recognize the importance of specialization—acquiring sector-specific knowledge and expertise that sets you apart in your chosen field. Whether through formal education, vocational training, or hands-on experience, specialization enables you to carve out a niche and become a subject matter expert in an area of interest. Moreover, learning opportunities abound in today’s interconnected world, from online courses and workshops to internships and mentorship programmes.”
The Head, African Strategic Partnerships, Lancaster University, Dr Akanimo Odon, who was the resource person, said the workshop was to make students begin to think differently and have a massive mind-shift that will impact lives and changes, and described participants as the potential change-makers in Ogoniland.
Odon regretted that students in tertiary institutions instead of using the opportunities around them to build their capacity, were busy pursuing needless and irrelevant things on social media, instead of using the same social media to intentionally drive their career initiatives.
“There are so many opportunities for students to build their capacity right on campus but students unfortunately are busy pursuing what does not concern them. They are busy on social media, and they are not even using these social media to intentionally drive their career initiatives.
“The biggest challenge in Africa is unemployability, over 450 million African youths are either unemployed or underemployed. With the right guidance and facilitation, young people can achieve a lot. What young people need most is not money but the right guidance.
“As a student, you need to be thinking of what to do after school right from your first year as an undergraduate. It’s better to have a 2-page resumè that has been condensed from a 10-page resumè, than to have a 2-page resumè that has been expanded from a half-page content,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, the President, Nnlational Union of Ogoni Students, Mr Nukpugi Karabari, said no prior Project Coordinator of HYPREP has had sessions with Ogoni students talkmore of creating a capacity-building workshop for them until now.
“I have learnt a lot of things including how to build my curriculum vitae. The resource person while teaching us how to scout for relevant courses and skills online, and immediately with my phone I registered for two free courses online on tourism and human resources. So as it stands now, I’m already running a course online from this eye-opening workshop,” Karabari said.
