Connect with us

society

Nigerian Graduates: Life after School and the Question of Demonstrable Skills – by Seun Sobola

Published

2 years ago

on

Nigerian Graduates: Life after School and the Question of Demonstrable Skills - by Seun Sobola

Nigerian Graduates: Life after School and the Question of Demonstrable Skills – by Seun Sobola

 

The view that titles occupy an exclusive place in writing is very much in line with common sense. A good title forecasts the message of a writing. So, to take advantage of that fact, I have succinctly created a concise and informative title to draw your attention.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is no need to put on a camouflage title, no need to crank up titles that would satirise the pains of Nigerian graduates, it only requires me to inform that the piece was inspired by three different events that I experienced.

 

 

 

 

 

I was sitting in the office of Dr Segun Omosule, the Head of Department of English, Olabisi Onabanjo University when two 400 level students came to greet me. Soon we were to talk about school generally, and whether the course they have been studying for four year has prepared them for miracle-breaking jobs in the labour market.

 

Nigerian Graduates: Life after School and the Question of Demonstrable Skills - by Seun Sobola

 

 

 

The female, after a fractional smile, comprehensively said that no course has given her a flicker of usefulness, application and anticipation in the future. Although she buried her face instantly, I asked her if truly she would be leaving school the same way she came. She gave me a thin-laughter.

After I regained my seat, I told her that the purpose of school is to provide ‘a runway to define your own journey’. You may want to engage with and help others. You may want to effect change in the world and in yourself. You may wish to be heard. You may want to write. You may want to sing. School only provides that myriad opportunities and space to do so. To support this point, I cited a concept in drama called ‘adaptation’.

Adaptation is the process of recreating an existing work in a way which gives a new meaning. This concept has been utilised by writers, movie producers and scientists. For instance, a recent blockbuster Yoruba movie _Big Brother Ibadan_ (2023) is a reworking of the popular Nigerian reality competition television series, _Big Brother Naija_ . Big Brother, this time, takes the competition to Ibadan where twelve stupid characters together in a solitary house msut live with the winner to cart away a total of 10 million naira. Ahmed Yerima also remixed Shakespeare’s _Othello_ in _Otaelo_ , rendering the classic _Othello_ into the language, cultural reality and setting of the Igbo people.

It sounded very significant that adaptation sourced from Arts and its value as a form of knowledge cannot be greater. But at the same time, we are given an insight that school will make you intellectually potential and not readily design a job for you. We are left to challenge ourselves in the curriculum and opportunities available to us in the outside world. You may choose career in music, communication, boxing, teaching, nursing, politics, farming, banking, law, fashion designing amongst others.

Translating professions or skills into businesses is equivalent to demonstrating them. That expression derives strength in the statement of the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, who said that ‘university degrees will no longer be sole guarantors of job opportunities in the country’. Therefore, it is prerequisite that every graduate finds himself or herself rooting for skills that may not have been taught in school. The fact remains, though that skills may not be enough. Skills can be potentially beneficial when coupled with personality and virtues. Virtues are innate and in-built by the way.

Dear Nigerian graduates, let us forge a new path with fastidiousness and ingenuity by demonstrating our skills. In the era of Technology, skills are transcending geographical boundaries. There is an undeniable truth in this, skills are where tomorrow’s workforce will come from.

 

 

Seun Sobola holds a first class degree in English from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye. He is an exceptional writer and can be reached through: 08101106313/ [email protected]

Related Topics:

Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact [email protected]

Continue Reading
Advertisement

society

US-Based Society Lady, Fehintola-Brat Extends Eid-El-Kabir Greetings To Muslims

Published

22 hours ago

on

May 27, 2026

By

US-Based Society Lady, Fehintola-Brat Extends Eid-El-Kabir Greetings To Muslims

 

 

United States based fahionista of class, Chief (Mrs) Ayoola Fehintola-Brat has extended a warm greetings to Muslim faithful all over the world on the occasion of the 2026 Eid-El-Kabir celebration.

 

 

 

 

Fehintola-Brat who is the Balogun Egbe Obaneye Obinrin  Akile Ijebu, and the Yeye Asofin of Idenaland in her message to Journalists urged Muslim to continually uphold the enduring values of sacrifice, obedience, faith, and compassion, which are central to the significance of Eid-El-Kabir festival.

 

 

 

 

A quiet philantropist whose humanitarian services has won her several laurels urged Muslims to use the spiritual occasion to pray for the peace co-existence of Nigerians regardless of religious, social and political leanings stressing that the oneness of the country should not be underplay.

 

 

 

 

In a related development, she expressed her felicitations to all sons and daughters of Ijebuland on the forthcoming Ojude Oba 2026 celebration, tasking age-groups otherwise known as Regbregbe to be more proactive in giving back to their immediate communities.

 

 

 

 

According to her, the beauty of the age-groups in Ijebuland is the need to contribute immensely to the development of the land in no small means. “This we will continue to achieve with God on our side”, she concluded.

Continue Reading

society

Sallah: Obasa Felicitates Muslim Ummah, Commends Nigerians for APC Primaries Turnout

Published

1 day ago

on

May 27, 2026

By

Sallah: Obasa Felicitates Muslim Ummah, Commends Nigerians for APC Primaries Turnout

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has extended warm felicitations to Muslims in Lagos State and across Nigeria on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.

In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Dave Agboola, Obasa described the festival as a season of sacrifice, reflection, and gratitude, urging the faithful to continue to uphold the values of peace, unity, and love that strengthen the nation.

He noted that the celebration of Eid al-Adha is not only a spiritual milestone but also a reminder of the importance of togetherness and collective responsibility in building a stronger society.

He, likewise, emphasized that the festival provides an opportunity for Nigerians to renew their commitment to national progress and to support leadership that prioritizes development and prosperity.

Obasa, however, commended Nigerians, particularly members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for their massive turnout during the recently concluded party primaries. He described the participation as a clear demonstration of the people’s confidence in the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and their belief in the administration’s vision for a greater Nigeria.

“The APC primaries have shown the resilience of our democracy and the confidence Nigerians have in the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Agenda. This is a strong message that our people are ready to continue supporting policies that will drive growth and prosperity,” Obasa stated.

The Speaker further encouraged Muslims to celebrate responsibly, stressing that the joy of Eid should be accompanied by prayers for the continued peace and progress of Lagos State and Nigeria.

“As you celebrate with family and loved ones, may this season bring joy, peace, and prosperity to your homes. Let us remain united in our resolve to build a stronger nation,” he added.

On behalf of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Obasa wished all Muslims a happy and fulfilling Eid al-Adha celebration.

Continue Reading

society

ABEOKUTA FILM FESTIVAL AT ILEYA 

Published

1 day ago

on

May 26, 2026

By

ABEOKUTA FILM FESTIVAL AT ILEYA 

 

Kayshow Multimedia a filmmaking and Media organization this year 2026 holds its annual Abeokuta film festival at the Ake Palace in Abeokuta.

 

Alake of Egba land, Ọba Michael Adedotun Arẹmu Gbadebo has graciously endorsed the Free Training of Egba Youths on Film and Arts and the Entertainment of the the People with a FREE FILM SHOW at the AKE PAVILION. as part of the ABEOKUTA FILM FESTIVAL 2.0.

 

 

The Convener of the Film Festival Honorable Kehinde Soaga says this year’s event promises to be more exciting as distinguished personalities are sure to attend.

 

This includes the honorable Minister for Art Culture and Creative Economy in Nigeria, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, Ààrẹ Lai Labode, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun and other special guests.

 

The event will feature Film, Cultural Dance Cultural foods and Award Ceremony.

 

The general public is hereby invited to the Free film show at the Abeokuta film festival at the Alake Palace Pavilion on Thursday 28th of May 2026 by 4:00 p.m.

 

Only well dressed is the Entry. The Abeokuta Film Festival is an annual event taking place in the capital city of Ogun State state.

Continue Reading

Cover Of The Week

RSS Africa-Newsroom

RSS APO Group – Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africa

Trending