Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye with Austin Onah (SIWES Student)
The Achievers’ Crew during the just concluded 37th Igbogbo Day Celebration put into practice its mission for human capital and community development when it sponsored a Career Guidance and Counseling Session with over 100 Senior Secondary School students, out of school youth and graduates yet to be employed.
Seasoned administrators, university don, professionals and teachers including Dr. Olumide Olusola Metilelu, an Associate Professor with the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) and Commissioner with Lagos State Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Mr Waheed Kasali, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tertiary Institutions, Coach Wale Adejuyigbe, Leadership & Education Consultant, and Mrs. Agnes Iyabo Elusakin, award -winning Principal, Oriwu Senior Model College, Dr Abdulafatai Andu, an Anaesthesiologist with the General Hospital, Ikorodu and Mrs Olayemi Adeshina, Principal Rotary Vocational School Igbogbo engaged participants and opened their eyes and minds to available opportunities.
The impactful initiative sponsored by the Achievers’ Crew, a community – oriented, social and developmental platform was organised in collaboration with the Igbogbo Day Planning Committee, at De Shokis Hotel Hall, Igbogbo.
Mr. Olugbenga Oduniyi, Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT), Achievers’ Crew, speaking on the vision and mission of the group, emphasised the focus on education and youth development.
“Achievers Crew is all about human capital development, community development, personal development, and everything that has to do with advancing your growth in all ramifications. That is what Achievers’ Crew stands for, and that is why we are bringing this programme to you today.
“Achievers’ Crew has existed for about three years, and we have continued to give back to the community in Ikorodu. We have made our mark by advancing education and everything that supports human capacity development.
“We are here today to impact knowledge and prepare you for your future. Many of you have great dreams in your hearts, but the question is how do you get it done? This programme offers you the right steps — where you begin and how to go about taking such a decision.”
He charged them on need to have access to quality information that would aid them to start taking decisions that would shape their future.
“It is time for you to start writing your own story, because your story will determine how far you have come. Show me your strength through your story, and I will know the capacity you carry.
“At the beginning of every story, there are situations that shape your journey. Some of you are preparing for WAEC and JAMB. Some of you are already in higher institutions, while others have even graduated.”
He engaged further: “There is something you must understand about life: It is not only about having excellent results. It is not only about being good at what you do. It is about knowing what you are supposed to do at the right time, and being in the right place at the right time. That is the extra quality you must add to the natural gifts you already have.”
The Education Secretary, Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), Ikorodu LG, Alhaji Taiwo Odumbo, in his remarks used a Yoruba poem, “Ise Ni Ogun Ise” (overcoming poverty with work), to emphasized the importance of academic excellence with moral uprightness and good character. He also stressed the importance of skill acquisition.
In his lead presentation, Dr Olumide Metilelu, lauded the Achievers’ Crew for coming up with what he described as a defining moment in the participant’s life.
“For all of you present today, this is a defining moment in your life. It is a real privilege for you to interact with one another. You are not from the same schools, yet you have the opportunity to meet great people here today.
“All of you will be given the platform to write JAMB, and WAEC examinations and choose any course you want to study. But what is important for you is stay focused.
“Everyone in this hall has their own potential. It is your responsibility to start thinking: If I want to become a doctor, what subject combination do I need for WAEC and JAMB? If you get that wrong, it will affect your journey.
“If you have a particular course you want to choose, pick it based on your uniqueness. Don’t choose a course because Mr. A wants to be a doctor, and you too now feel compelled to also be a doctor. No, that shouldn’t be.
“You can become a teacher and eventually rise to become a principal—just like Mrs Iyabo Elusakin, who is one of the best principals in the federation. It is a privilege to have her with us today,” the university lecturer said.
Speaking on the importance of the session, Dr Metilelu said:
“What we are trying to do with this platform is to stimulate you and encourage you. If these people sitting here on the high table can get to where they are today, then you too can get there.
“Our goal today is to encourage you, so that you can choose the right course and follow the right direction.
“Every young person here carries his or her own potential. Every one of you has a talent. Everyone has a purpose. I have a purpose for being here. Every guest on this high table has a purpose for being here. And you also have a purpose for being here.”
In his final note, the university don charged participants to always prepare for opportunities.
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams and success is where preparation meets opportunity.
“We want all of you to be successful. We want to see you in the future becoming leaders, becoming governors, becoming people of impact.
“Opportunities are everywhere, but preparation is what separates those who succeed from those who remain behind,” he said.
He thanked the Achievers’ Crew for preparing the leaders of tomorrow and the opportunity to be part of the process.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tertiary Education, Mr Waheed Kasali, in his paper said that the Plus addition to the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo – Olu focuses on social Inclusion, gender equality, and youth development. He added that the state government is committed to education which is a primary concern of the youth.
He charged participants to get exposure for them to have access to information and opportunities to develop themselves.
“When you build the youth, you are building the nation and when you build them, you must build them in the right way and the greatest thing in life is to be exposed to opportunities available to you.
“I once told someone: If Nigeria had been like this when we were aspiring to go to the university, it’s either I combined plumbing, electrical and whatever that I am doing now. But in those days things are not like they are now. But now, in the present 4th and going into 5th Industrial Revolution, for you to survive is very critical.
“This is essential because from now, you have to start taking decisions concerning your career. The essence of secondary education, especially when you are in SSS 3, is to ask what next and taking the next and the right step. That is very critical for you at the moment.
“This is important, because at the end of the day when you graduate in any calling that you find yourself in the university, you are going to be fit for purpose and use. This means that you will not be irrelevant and redundant and the best way to be fit for purpose is that you must be well – equipped, exposed and captured all the requirements that would make you to succeed.”
While stating that the Lagos State Government has continued to introduce programmes and initiatives for youths to attain their potentials, Mr Kasali listed ways for participants to be relevant and fit for use which are self -discovery by stating one’s vision and mission.
He called on them to be engaged with skills after secondary education and also urged them to develope knowledge & technological skill to navigate the present world, have critical thinking and be problem-solvers, be creative and be innovative, develop leadership & communication and partnership with others.”
He urged students to look in the direction of studying Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, Data Science, Machine Learning and other tech-related fields.
Mr Kasali also commended the Achievers’ Crew for the laudable initiative which he said was a good avenue to develop youths.
Principal, Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu, Mrs Iyabo Elusakin, who emerged as the Best School Administrator in Nigeria in 2022, enjoined participants to be good at every thing that they do to be the best.
“What I want you to understand this morning is simple: whatever you do in life, give it your best. When I was going about my duties as an ordinary teacher, I never knew it would reach a point where the Federal Government would reward me. I was given a car, a house, and the National Productivity Order of Merit Award during President Buhari’s administration — and I received all of that while still remaining a teacher.
“So, what makes the difference in the journey of life is how well you do whatever you choose to do,” she said.
She also urged them to have self -confidence and never allow their present situation to determine their future. She also urged them to have discipline and be committed to their own future.
Coach Wale Adejuyigbe, in his own submission emphasised determination and preparation to achieve a desired future.
“A future is what happens with time. But a desired future is what you determine for yourself. Desired future does not happen by luck. It happens by your preparation.
“Everyone sitting at the high table worked to be there. If they did not work for it, it would only be a visiting privilege. It is not luck, and it will not just happen by time.”
He charged participants to have clarity, skill and be prepared to have a desired future.
“You must know what you want to do. Don’t do guesswork with your life. In the years to come, you will face competition from everywhere — from China, America, from other parts of Nigeria. What you are doing, someone out there is doing it even better. So, sit up and sit right. When you get home, ask your parents, what do you think I am good at? Then focus on it.
“Your desired future will come by skill. Someone said skill is not what you can do well, it is the currency of the future. If you are not skillful and visible, you will not have a place in the future.
“Proper preparation prevents poor performance and a bad future. There must be an intersect between your skills, your interest, and the opportunities around you,” he said.
He charged participants to focus more on detecting opportunities around them.
The Principal, Rotary Vocational Centre, Igbogbo, Mrs Adeshina also speaking exhorted SSS 3 students and graduates that are yet to be engaged productively on the need to acquire vocational skills after their graduation.
She listed events decoration, catering, barbing, hair dressing, metals, engineering, photography, ICT, music, Alaga Iduro and Alaga Ijoko, as some of the skills that are being offered at the centre for the duration of three, six and nine months with Lagos State Government’s certificate at the end of the training.
According to her, admission into the centre and training is free.
Dr. Abdufatai Andu, who spoke from his personal experience, charged participants not to allow any obstacle prevent whatever dream that they want to achieve.
He counselled them, especially those that intend to study medicine to specialise in particular areas of their discipline where they would be the go-to person or professional and must always put in their best.
The Executive Chairman, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, Omo’ba Hammed Aroyewun responding to one of the participants urged whomever among them that wants to be a good leader to first learn how to be a good and loyal follower.
He charged them to pursue capacity to get adequate information that would give knowledge, and skills to be leaders in their chosen fields.
He equally enjoined them to learn, unlearn and relearn.
