By Elizabeth Uwandu

Graduates in Nigeria have been advised to acquire IT related skills in addition to their certificates as these will enable them to be marketable and open to job opportunities in this global economy.

Speaking, one of the guest at the 1st Arise Africa Foundation graduation ceremony held recently in Lagos, Mr Tosin Oyesele said, the importance of the programme is to enable Nigerian graduates be computer literate and gain other professional skills that will enable them add values to the society and be less dependent on what they learned at school.

He also added that “Most graduates are looking at what they can get from the country and not what they can give back. So, we are trying to re-orient their mindset to be ICT literates, so as to make them productive and at the same time, stop them from being always at the receiving end of the government.

The Founder, Arise Africa Foundation, Mr Segun Akande said the aim of the foundation is geared towards 3 objectives: To reduce unemployment by making graduates better skilled and better prepared for job;

To enable a generation that adds value and service as against the backdrop of solely making money; and To enable young people identify their purpose in life.

Speaking on the graduation which saw 8 out of the 35 participants awarded certificates after they passed the conducted examination, Akande said, the ceremony is a cumulative effort in the last 18 months where the foundation, every month organised a two day seminar in which the 1st day is focused on discussion of purpose and the vision in life. While on the 2nd day, facilitators take participants in communication skills, entrepreneurial skills, Microsoft packages, and personal finance skill among others.

The facilitators according to the host are managing directors of company such as Mr Lanre Olushola, Mrs Lilian Olubi, Mr Bashir Abolore, Mr Jude Chiemeka and Mr Wale Edun, Chairman, Chapel Hill Denham.

On the importance and recognition of the certificate, the organiser of the foundation,’ said anyone that passes through the programme has his wealth in gold and will have the opportunity of an internship programme with the various partnered institutions. And if such intern does well in the course of his internship, he or she stands a chance of gaining full employment’.

Speaking on what the the current government has in store for the Nigerian youth, Mr Oyelese said he believed ,’ this administration would take the issue of youth employment seriously by leveraging on the massive population of youths in projecting the image of the country .