In 2017 RCE Minna organised an interactive session for graduate students of Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Nigeria. The session brought together seasoned lecturers and entrepreneurs from around Minna to share their experiences and prepare the minds of young graduates towards towing the path of development.

In view of the success recorded at the 2017 edition of the Graduate Interactive Session (GIS), there were calls from students for a second edition. Therefore, to commemorate Nigeria’s Independence Day and World Habitat Day this year, RCE Minna responded to the calls and agreed to organise the 2nd RCE Minna GIS on 1 October, 2018.

Those in attendance included the Coordinator of RCE Minna, Dr. Abdul Husaini, Chairman of RCE Minna’s Board of Research, Prof. GN Nsofor, the General Manager of the Niger State Urban Development Board, Hajiya Habiba L. Ahmed, the Coordinator for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Kano State, Mallam Baba Ladan, and representatives from RCE Minna, youth members, and the 2018 Graduate Students of FUT, Minna.

During the session, presentations were made on a range of areas, such as Time Management, Financial Literacy, Life after Graduation and the NYSC experience as well as an overview of RCE Minna and its activities. The presentations were interactive with students given the opportunity to ask questions and make contributions. Questions and enquiries majorly centred on choice of carrier path and personal development.

Previous fellows of the GIS sent in their messages through short video clips, stating the impact of the 2017 GIS on their current activities.

The 2018 edition of the RCE Minna GIS agreed that:

1. The programme should be expanded and allow for more students to participate and learn from the interactive sessions. To this end, it was suggested that the next episode should take place on campus to allow for maximum participation.
2. Students should identify mentors and be willing to learn from their experiences.
3. There is the need for students to cultivate the habit of reading wide and broad in order to enhance the concept of lifelong learning.

The 2018 edition of the RCE Minna GIS was an educative and enlightening session that has broadened the mind of young graduates towards taking positive actions to help develop their communities. The need to be providing such platforms for young people to interact and share their thoughts is seen as a necessary step, and as such, RCE Minna will continue to provide learning opportunities for our teeming youth.

Photo credits: RCE Minna