MAPEF holds 2nd edition of employability seminar for MAPOLY Muslim students
The MAPAMA Education Fund [MAPEF], an arm of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta Muslim Alumni organised the second edition of her employability seminar for Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta Muslim Students in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The programme which was themed Employability Skills of the 21st Century had two seasoned professionals as resource persons who discussed the theme extensively to the delight of all participants and guests.
The national president of the Association, Mr. Taofeek Oyeniyi, a professional accountant while delivering his welcome address mentioned that the purpose of founding the Association by the founding fathers and as stated in the Association’s constitution is to evolve a system that shall enhance economic development of members and to assist members in their careers and professions amongst others which was the reason the programme was organised for Muslim students of the school who are automatic members of the Association.
Mr. Patrick Umo-Adiasung who is the director, People Experience and Market Development, CIPM [Chartered Institute of Personnel Management] who kick started his discussion by asking participants what has changed in recent time, made participants understood that the way of doing and running businesses has changed from analogue to digital and an employee who must be employed must change with time and learn the new ways of doing things.
He went further, by urging participants to arm themselves with learning skills which will be used to process and communicate information which includes creativity, critical thinking ability, collaboration and communication. Another skill he urged participants to arm themselves with is literacy which includes information literacy, media literacy, technology literacy all of which will focus on the employee ability to evaluate and process new information particularly those found online. He also added that participants need skills that will create a well-round individual that can thrive both on their personal and work lives which includes adaptability, leadership initiative, efficiency and social skills.
Mr. Ayo Muritala, MD, KnewRow Resources started his discussion on the premise why today’s graduates are not employable in the business world. He stated that the Nigeria school curriculum is obsolete and no longer operative in the real world, yet the stakeholders in the academic sector refused to do something about it. He corroborated his claim by asking participants to go online and check when a student of Edinburgh Napier University who studied sciences started testing for hypothesis compared to when a student in Nigeria universities will be exposed to the same.
Ayo said another reason for today’s graduates being unemployable is their parents influence on their choice of course of study. He explained that some parents forced their wards to study a course they have no passion for but had to study to please them.
He urged participants who are undergraduates to be innovative and took them through the steps which they can take and become hotcakes for employers of labour after their graduation.
Alhaji AbdulSemii Akinwunmi, ACA, a member of the Board of Trustees of MAPAMA while presenting his remarks urged parents to stop forcing courses of study on their wards as the consequence is deadly and can be irrevocable in the life of the wards. He explained how he gave his own children freehand to determined their choice of course of study.
The event which took place at Babalakin Lecture Hall on the school campus had in attendance the immediate past President of the Association, Alhaji Taofik Salako, an astute and decorated journalist with The Nation, the former B-Zone President of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria [MSSN], Alhaji Mushafar Alaran, ACA. The event was also graced with the presence of other prominent members of the Alumni among whom are Hadjia Taibat Alimi, Chairperson, Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter, Hadjia Ajumah Onasanya, a business tycoon, Alhaji Abdur Rahman Ajala, HoD, Department of Planning and Transportation, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro
Also present at the event were Mr. AbdulWasii Oyeniyi, the Lagos State Chapter Coordinator of the Association, Mr. Ismael Ayinla Adebare, the Oyo State Chapter Coordinator of the Association amongst other national executive members.
MAPAMA is the umbrella body of all Muslim graduates of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta, (MAPOLY ) formerly Ogun State Polytechnic (Ogunpoly ). Its headquarters is in Abeokuta while it has chapters in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo States, FCT Abuja and membership in Diaspora.
Mutiu Rosenje
MAPAMA… Brotherhood for Development
