Nigeria’s most innovative and fastest growing telecommunications operator, Etisalat has charged students in Nigerian public secondary schools to secure their future through quality career decisions.
The Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko, made this call last week in Lagos while speaking at the 14th session of the Etisalat Career Counselling Day sponsored by the company in partnership with the Lagos Empowerment And Resource Network (LEARN).
It is designed to guide students of secondary schools in the junior and senior levels, towards making sound, positive and fulfilling career decisions which will provide long-term benefits to them, their families, organisations, and ultimately the nation.
Mr. Dikko said it was necessary that students are made to understand the implications of career choices on their future and provided guidance accordingly.
“Building a career does not happen overnight, and in order to be successful in any field of endeavor, early preparation is key. This program seeks to equip students with the requisite tools for being successful in whatever career path they may choose. Career counselling must be a priority for students, in order to enable them be successful and fulfilled,” said the VP, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Etisalat.
Speaking further, Mr. Dikko reiterated the company’s commitment to national development using sustainable CSR platforms such as health, environment and education which he described as very key. His words, “Education is the source, the spring of growth and development. When education is gotten right, every other aspect of life benefits, including health, the economy and our planet. We are committed to Corporate Social Responsibility agenda and we will apply ourselves to driving the sustainable development of our nation, Nigeria.”
Also speaking, the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Pharmacist Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, noted that quality counselling is at the root of successful careers just as she commended Etisalat and LEARN for the initiative which aims at helping students make fulfilling career decisions. She was represented by the head, Public Affairs, Ministry of Youth and Social Developments, Kemi Ikotun-Adekusibe.
Victoria Island Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, Girls Junior and Senior Secondary Grammar Schools, Ikoyi, Government Junior and Senior Colleges, Victoria Island, Kuramo Junior and Senior Colleges and Aunty Ayo Girls Senior Comprehensive Secondary School were the schools present at the 14th edition of Career Counseling.
Meanwhile, the trio of Victoria Island Junior Secondary School, Victoria Island Senior Secondary School and Aunty Ayo Girls Senior Comprehensive Secondary School respectively emerged the overall best performing schools at the event. They were presented with gifts such as a Photocopier machine, a scanner and a public address system.
The Etisalat Career Counseling Programme is a CSR-driven initiative that rides on the crest of the Etisalat Employee Volunteer Scheme. It is a continuous program which is designed to equip the Nigerian youth with the tools and information needed to become the best they are created for, and to enable them transform themselves into worthy ambassadors of their homes, state and the nation.The occasion was attended by the Assistant Director of Ethics, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Williams, Deputy Director, Special Programme representing the Director General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Ministry of Education, Akodu Kamardeen, Director, Schools Administration, District 3, Falomo-Ikoyi representing the Tutor General and Permanent Secretary of District 3, Dr. Raji Mudasir and Mrs. Titilayo Tariah, Director and Principal, Kuramo Senior College, Victoria Island.
