• Even as CEE holds maiden students’ entrepreneurship competition
The Centre for Entrepreneurship and Employability, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, recently organized an employability and career development workshop for final year students of the university, to prepare them for life after graduation.
Welcoming the participants to the workshop, the Director of the Centre, Professor Chinyere C. P. Nnorom in her remarks noted that the workshop was organized to equip the intending graduates with the necessary skills and knowledge to be self reliant and employable on graduation. She stated that the workshop was beyond the daily classroom routines, adding that the essence was to bridge the gap between head-knowledge and functional knowledge.

She explained that most young graduates were jobless because of some avoidable mistakes they make in the course of searching for job, stressing that good Curriculum Vitae and cover letter were critical for securing a job.
“There are lots of mistakes young graduates make, especially in preparing their curriculum vitae and cover letter”, she said.
Stressing the importance of good work ethics, she further urged the participants to imbibe hard work, diligence and resourcefulness in order to achieve their life goals, adding that character was also important for enduring success.
Speaking on Job Hunting Techniques, Director, Centre for Development Assistance Management, Partnership and Training (CEDAMPAT), Mr. Chris Uwadoka gave the students an exhaustive break down of how to seek and secure a job, mentioning the various types of job hunting techniques and urged them to apply all the procedures in order to land their dream jobs.

He also played a short video clip to highlight how the different species of eagle hunt for food, ranging from the bald eagle to the golden eagle and the sea eagle. He concluded that eagles are survivors, and encouraged the students to beware of procrastination but to take their destinies in their hands and hunt like eagles in order to achieve their dreams.
He further advised the participants on the need to depend on God, saying “It is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of the Lord that showeth mercy”, and urged them to be steadfast in prayers as they pursue their career.
While speaking on the ‘Importance of Networking and Mentorship in Career Development’, a Senior Presenter with Salt FM Radio, Abakalik, Miss Ugonma Ogbu stressed the importance of human networking and mentorship, advising the students to establish good rapport and relationships with individuals higher than them in their desired area of practice.

Mr. Mezie Asogwa, the Managing Director of Mexjen Global Resources, a leading Consultancy and Human Resource Expert who spoke on the ‘Secrets of Excelling in Aptitude Tests and Shining in Job Interviews’, advised students to be up-to-date with happenings around the globe, especially their immediate environs, stating that interview questions could be tricky and surprisingly simple.

The highlight of the workshop was a debate amongst students of the various faculties in the university on the topic “Courses offered in my Faculty Provide Better Opportunities for Entrepreneurship.”
The debate was won by Faculty of Agriculture with a total of 36 points, followed by Faculty of Management and Social Sciences with 33 points and Faculty of Science with 30 points in that order.
Meanwhile, the Centre of Entrepreneurship and Employability, has also organized an entrepreneurship competition for students of the university. The competition which was held at the university auditorium was to assess the creativity, innovation and business-idea generation capacities of the students.
The students enthusiastically showcased various astonishing products and services they developed. At the event, they were awarded with certificates of participation while the first, second and third best students received cash prizes.
Receiving the winners at his office recently, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba, noted that the institution was geared towards producing self-reliant and employable graduates, adding that entrepreneurship would continue to be the university’s forte.
The Vice-Chancellor also directed the winners to submit their business plans to the management for diagnostic review of its viability so that they could be supported to make their dreams a reality.