NEWS: The Department of Political Science Kicks-Off Departmental Week with Career Talk

                                         

by Peace Nkenta

The University of Ibadan's Department of Political Science commenced its First Year Students (FYS) and Week events on Monday, January 6, 2025. The event began with two key programs: Youth in Politics and a Career Talk, showcasing panel discussions and talks from esteemed speakers. The meeting occurred in the LLT (Large Lecture Theatre) at the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Even though the program was originally set to commence at 11:00 a.m., the turnout which was initially low, contributed to the delay leading to the programme starting officially at 12:10 p.m. The event began with the organizers apologising to the guest speakers and attendees for the delayed start, followed by renditions of the National Anthem and the University Anthem.

The hosts welcomed the initial guest speaker, Mrs. Felicia Oyediran, who is the former Clerk of the Oyo State House of Assembly, before presenting her citation. They also recognized the attendance of important executives from both the Faculty and Department levels.

Mr. Adewunmi Samuel Damilare, the President of the Political Science Department, then took the stage to present the welcome speech. He spoke fervently about the strength of young people in politics, highlighting that their involvement fosters hope and creativity. He urged the audience to engage actively in the day's talks to acquire meaningful insights for empowerment.

The initial part of the Career Talk highlighted Mr. Dennis Akinwale Ogunnaike, a Senior Adviser on Youth Development and Technology Innovation for the Governor of Ogun State. He started by conveying his gratitude to the youthful audience, highlighting their main strength: abundant energy. He involved the students with stimulating questions like, “Who are you?”, “What motivates you?”, and “Where do you envision yourself in five years?”

Mr. Ogunnaike emphasized that recognizing one's career journey demands self-awareness: discerning individual interests, objectives, and drives. He emphasized the significance of establishing clear objectives, sustaining a vision, and associating with the right individuals. He finished by urging the young people not to restrict their thinking but to proactively identify challenges and develop solutions.

Following this, Professor Remi Aiyede, a distinguished scholar in the department, was invited to the podium after his citation was presented. Professor Aiyede carried on the discussion by reiterating Mr. Ogunnaike's argument regarding the necessity for students to develop income-generating skills, warning that it could be too late for those who had not yet determined their career paths. He comforted students by stating that success was still within reach, referencing the saying, “Better late than never.”

The Professor mentioned various elements that could lead to delays in students' career paths but highlighted that success is not exclusively related to timing. He emphasized that Political Science goes beyond politics and is intricately linked to human interactions, rendering it a subject of enduring importance. He encouraged students to make the most of the University's varied skill acquisition offerings, emphasizing that these abilities are in demand worldwide and not limited to specific locations.

After the career discussions, a panel session took place, which included all the speakers. The conversation centered around their individual career paths, the ways they handled the difficulties of the Nigerian economy, and the traits that led to their achievements. Considering that, as reported by the World Bank, 38.9% of Nigerians exist below the poverty threshold and 5% are out of work, the speakers emphasized important qualities like digital literacy, adaptability, foresight, and problem-solving abilities.

The program's second segment, Youth in Politics, commenced with the introduction of Hon. Ramata Dabo, the session's keynote speaker. Hon. Dabo, currently the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor of Oyo State on Local Government and Chieftaincy Issues, was presented following the reading of her citation. Before speaking to the audience, she encouraged the chanting of the Oyo State anthem.

In her speech, Hon. Dabo categorized three kinds of people: those who inquire about how things occur, those who ponder how things occur, and those who create outcomes—whom she called her favorite. She expressed fervently how crucial politics is as a means of transformation, encouraging young people to engage in the political sphere and not to be restricted by their backgrounds.

She highlighted that young people are the pulse of the nation and that the nation's advancement relies on their engaged involvement. Hon. Dabo highlighted various qualities essential for achieving success in politics, such as empathy, engagement, loyalty, bravery, and a deep sense of accountability.

The session featured a panel discussion along with a question-and-answer portion, in which the speakers offered their perspectives and responded to numerous inquiries from the audience.