ae-funai department of guidance and counselling organizes career convention for secondary schools in ebonyi state
The Department of Guidance and Counseling, Faculty of Education, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ebonyi State, has organized a one day career convention themed, “Career Choices: The Challenges Before Us”. The career convention which is a yearly programme of the department was held on Monday 11th March, 2024 at St Patrick’s secondary school, Kpirikpiri Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, and geared towards assisting students to decide wisely about their future professions in order to achieve a prosperous future in different fields of life.

Declaring the event open, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Sunday Elom, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Romanus Ejiaga, commended the Department of Guidance and Counseling for organizing the convention, noting that the theme of the programme was apt and timely, as it will help students to know what they are capable of doing and the kind of profession they may pursue in the future in order to achieve their dreams and aspirations in life.
He added that it is not easy for students at such young age to choose a career or to discover their passion in life, therefore the convention will enlighten their minds and help them to make the right decisions about their future.
He advised the students to be more serious in their studies and avoid societal distractions and peer pressures that may sabotage their dreams.

While speaking at the event, the Special Guest of Honor and the Director, Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, Dr. Chinyere Elom, appreciated the organizers of the event for trying to put the students on the right career path, and advised the students to use the knowledge garnered at the convention to make the right decisions about their future.
She further urged the students to take their studies seriously, warning them to be wary of external pressures and influences in choosing their future career.

The Chairperson of the event and Acting Director, ICT, Engr. Dr. Ngozi Eli-Chukwu, while making a remark at the event, noted that the convention was very important to the students at this early age.
She admonished them on the need to cultivate a strong habit of excellence by studying very hard to be able to succeed in their academic pursuits, and stressed on the importance of implementing everything they learnt at the programme.

Also lending her voice, the immediate past Acting Dean, Faculty of Education, Dr. Francisca Ogba, admonished the students to be serious-minded in their academic activities, and to take everything the resource persons taught them serious.ly. She noted that they were privileged to be guided at this level on the issue of career choices.

In the same vein, the wife of Ebonyi State Governor, Her Excellency, Mrs. Uzoamaka Nwifuru who was represented by Dr. Nkechi Echiegu thanked the organizers of the event for their thoughtfulness, and advised the students to focus more on their studies, and avoid things that could distract them from achieving their dreams. She noted that education is the key to success and charged the students to work hard in their studies.

Earlier In her welcome address, the Head, Department of Guidance and Counseling Dr. Ifeoma Ubah, noted that the programme is very important because of the role career choice plays in the life of people, adding that an individual can contribute meaningfully to the advancement of society if they make the right career choice early in life.
She maintained that the Department strives to educate young people on career decisions, taking into cognizance the uncertainties about white collar jobs in Nigeria today, and stressed the importance of adequate career assessments while in school.
She further stated that the Department is interested in helping students to be aware of the various opportunities available in different professions, adding that the programme was one of the ways of guiding the young generation to understand the contemporary society and thereby make wise career decisions.

Other speakers at the event were: Dr. Christiana Igberi who spoke on career in Agriculture; Mr. Shola Akintude talked on career in Music; Elekwachi David spoke on career in Nursing and Dr. Okechukwu Anyamelu talked on career in Geology.