ONDO GOVERNMENT ORGANIZES CAREER TALK FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, DISABUSES THEIR MINDS OF HARD DRUG

 

Ondo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, has organized a Career Talk for Secondary School Students in the Ondo South Senatorial District as part of efforts to enlighten the students and provide guidance for them in chosing their life-long careers.

The programme, which brought together student representatives from all the public secondary schools in the Senatorial District, was part of the Career Mentorship Programme of the ministry aimed at ensuring that the young minds are properly guilded in determining what they want to become in future.

The Career Talk, held at Stella Maris College, Okitipupa, featured professionals across various walks of life, who put the students through the rudiments and academic requirements of various professions and careers to prepare their minds ahead of future.

Declaring the programme open, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olufemi Agagu FNIVS, said the roles of Guidance/Counselors or Career Teachers in schools, apart from disabusing the minds of the students of social vices and encouraging them to work harder, also include mentoring them on the choice of careers they make.

The Commissioner, represented by the Director of Evaluation, Continuous Assessment, Guidiance and Counseling, Mrs. Olufunke Ademuyiwa, noted that many people became dissatisfied and depressed as a result of chosen the wrong careers, hence the need to prepare the minds of the young ones on the choices the want to make.

He noted that a dissatisfied individual with his or her choice of career would not only perform below expectation, but will exhibit other psycho-social behavior detrimental to his or her success and the society at large.

Mr. Agagu emphasized that the Career Talk by the ministry, coming up more than a decade, was a unique one as it was a departure from the norm of inviting professionals in conventional carrier development alone, but also focussing on entrepreneurial/skill development as white collar jobs are not readily available.

The Commissioner posited that individuals can find fulfilment in life through engagement in entrepreneurship ventures, as relying on one income flow might not cater for one's numerous needs, stressing that one can also develop a skill from one's passion in order to have a fulfilled life.

Some stakeholders described the Career Talk as a unique one as it featured guest speakers aside the conventional ones.

The students said they have been positively motivated by the speakers.

Similarly, the ministry also organized a sensitization programme on drug abuse for secondary school students in the Ondo North Senatorial District of the state, to disabuse their minds of drug and the inherent dangers in taking hard drug.

The programme, held at Victory College, Ikare, also brought together students from all public secondary schools across the Senatorial District.

Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olufemi Agagu FNIVS, while addressing participants, noted that the rate of insecurity in the country is on the high side, explaining that most of the crimes were perpetrated under the influence of drug.

While advising the students to shun hard drug, the Commissioner said it is sadden to note that Neuro-Psychiatric Hospitals are filled with young men and women who are unrepentant drug addicts. 

Represented by the Director, Evaluation, Continuous Assessment, Guidiance and Counseling, Mrs. Olufunke Ademuyiwa, the Commissioner said it was pitiable to note that those termed as future leaders of the country were indulging in activities that are self-distructing by indulging in drug abuse.

The Commissioner lamented that many young men and women in their prime and productive ages, who should be contributing to the development of the country, are currently languishing in correctional centers and prisons within and outside the country are a result of drug abuse or trafficking.

He called on parents, guardians religious organizations, non-governmental organizations and stakeholders in the education sector, to join hands with government in having a drug-free society.