A university don, Prof. Patricia Ojiah, has advised parents not to dictate career for their children but rather guide them to make the right choices.
Ojiah, also the Director, University of Abuja Counseling and Career Services Centre, was speaking during the valedictory ceremony of Redeemer TEAP International School, in Abuja on Saturday.
The don said that allowing children choose their careers would enable them maximise their potentials in their chosen career.
“I will want to advise you graduands to follow your passion.What is it you love to do? What is your personality type? What is your interest?
“And at the same time, I’m talking to parents too. Please give listening ears to these children.
“Sometime in those days, people looked down on acting, at work, and so on and so forth.
If you are not a doctor or a lawyer, you are nothing.
“But I think that has changed with time. So please remember that our children have passion.
“So parents, encourage them. Allow them to speak up. Don’t suppress them. Don’t force courses on them. You can advise them,” she said.
Ojiah, who stressed that every child had the potential in different fields of studies, added that imposing a particular course on children had led to a lot of devastating effects on the general public.
Also speaking, the former Executive Officer, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr Sam Amadi, expressed concerns over the deplorable condition of the country’s educational institutions.
Amadi called on the government to intensify efforts on the innovative policies that would bring succour to Nigerians both socially and economically.
He urged the students not to settle for less as the future belonged to those who work harder.
Earlier, the Principal of the Redeemer TEAP international School, Mr Yusuf Oladeji advised the graduating students to be good ambassadors in their further engagement.
A student, Matilda Ladon, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), called on government to create a more conducive learning environment to reduce the rate at which Nigerians migrate overseas in search of knowledge.
“I want the government to make the school environment more conducive for all students to allow us learn well.
“Most people would rather go and school abroad because of the current educational situation in Nigeria, but if the government improve it, no one will leave the country,” he said.(NAN)
