By Ikenna Nwokedi
Ifitedunu Community on Monday, 30th December 2024 held a one-day maiden successful get-together for her undergraduate and young graduates.
The one-day programme held at the Ifitedunu Civic Center which had a retinue of scholars inundating the youths of the community on global business and career opportunities as well as ways to secure foreign scholarships was bankrolled by Sir Anthony Chinedu Okoye (Don Fantasy), President of Ifitedunu Town Union (ITU) USA/Canada and The Chukwudi Onwurah Foundation.
In his address and opening remarks, the facilitator and current Head, Department of History and Government, Bowie State University and International Coordinator Ifitedunu Professionals, Prof. Benjamin Arah stated that the program is to intimate the young ones on exploring pathways on going abroad for academic studies. Prof. Arah posited that some of the attendees have had challenges on securing admission in Nigerian tertiary institutions which is why it is imperative to teach them the academic route for a seamless admission process abroad and commencing immediate studies.
The scholar also informed that the one-day get-together is an avenue to provide the young ones with information in order to be better and well equipped towards exploring their career options and aspects of admission, global business and career opportunities.
On his part, the President-General of Ifitedunu, Comrade Stephen Ufoaroh stated that under his watch, there has been series of programmes for the young ones such as orientation for candidates seeking admission into universities and seminar for undergraduates. Comrade Ufoaroh said the programme is the first of its kind as it has to do with graduates and undergraduates with the aim of building a relationship between those in school and graduates from tertiary institutions.
The former ASUU UNIZIK Chairperson averred that another objective of the programme is to build the mindset of the young ones regarding the future, being global in their thinking, accessing opportunities outside the country and equally to expose the young graduates to international opportunities.
In their separate speeches, an Associate Professor of Computer Engineering and Director ICT (Software) at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Dr. Azubuike Aniedu in his lecture titled, “Business and Career Opportunities in ICT: Leveraging Technology for Business and Career Growth,” highlighted the importance of ICT in the modern world while defining ICT as integration of technology in managing and communicating information through various devices and systems.
Dr. Aniedu also gave an insight on the emerging trends, career and business opportunities in ICT. The scholar admonished the young ones to develop virtues such as being authentic, respectful, patient and valuable while also being innovative based on local challenges and opportunities, utilizing partnerships with global and local entities for growth and as well building scalable solution by considering affordability for mass adoption.
Delivering their lectures virtually, the Director of International Studies Education, Office of International Studies and Services at Bowie State University, USA, Mr. Siriki Diabate informed that there are over 50 Nigerians auditing the Postgraduate programme of Bowie State University. He went further to educate the young ones on processes of securing admission at Bowie State University and other institutions abroad while also stating that there are limitless opportunities outside the shores of the country.
The Managing Director, Atlangs Energy Services Ltd, United Kingdom, Engr. John Asiegbu stated that the world is a global village were efficiency, innovation and ICT are tools needed for efficient customer experience in a successful business. He admonished the young ones to maximize the opportunities available to them through their android phones by being digitally literate and auditing online programmes that will further enhance their capabilities and competence.
In a note of appreciation, Emmanuel Oduche, a 400-level student of the Department of Mathematics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, described the get-together as enlightening, educative and informative as it is an eye opener for the young attendees on how to better their lives and their career going forward. He thanked the PG of the community, the facilitator and the resource persons for their tutelage.
- The event also featured question and answer sessions, dance display by a young student group and refreshments for the participants.
This is a welcome development as long the major aim is towards making positive improvements on the undergraduates and young graduates and not for eye services. The reunion will help the participants greatly.