Jobberman Nigeria, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has successfully boosted the career prospects of over 1,000 young people across Edo State with a career clinic programme.
The event held in Benin City was attended by job seekers, entrepreneurs, and career professionals for one-day intensive learning, networking, and opportunity creation.
The participants, which described the clinic as life-changing, noted that it has equipped them with the new skills, clarity and renewed confidence to take charge of their careers and businesses.
The theme of the programme was, ‘Your Career Compass: Gain Clarity in Work and Business.’
In his opening remarks, Innih Ikhide, head of Youth Engagement and Learning at Jobberman Nigeria, said the Career Clinic as an opportunity to gain clarity, purpose, and practical strategies for their business.
Ikhide, who noted that nothing “will change if you don’t take action,” added that the world of work was changing fast while clarity is no longer a luxury but a necessity.
He expressed the optimism that the next wave of transformative stories would come from among the participants.
While sharing an inspiring story, he opined that “Life is 10 percent of what happens to you and 90 percent on how you respond to it.”
Ikhide, who appreciated the attendees for coming, said that the future of an in dividual depended on how he or she positioned him/herself.
In her keynote address, Isimeme Whyte, founder of Genius Hub, challenged the participants to embrace technology, think entrepreneurially, and position themselves as solutions to the problems around them.
According to her, “The calibre of young people I met in Benin City genuinely inspired me. They are not waiting for handouts; they’re hungry for knowledge, for connections, for a fair chance.
“This generation has everything it takes to redefine Nigeria’s future, and I am honoured to have played a small part in encouraging them along that path,” she said.
In his good will message, Kerimu Shehu Kelly, Managing Director of the Edo State Skills Development Agency (EdoJobs), while commending the initiative, noted that the state government has seen the tremendous efforts of Jobberman.
Kelly assured that the Edo State government would collaborate with the Jobberman to make the event more robust, especially for the marginalised in the future.
He opined that when the government and the organisation work together, more young people who are in need of jobs and businesses opportunities can be reached.
Osayuwamen Aladesulu, Jobina Arinze, Kevwe Modupe and Chika Ike-Ojumwu, some of the experts at the programme provided practical guidance that resonated deeply with the attendees.
On his part, Kingsley Eromesele, chairman of the Edo State Deaf People Association, thanked Jobberman for the event.
“I was happy the organisers took persons with disabilities into account. The sessions were accessible and valuable. I hope Jobberman will organise more events like this and include us even more.”
Also, Rejoice Aghoghore, a graduate of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) who owns an accessories business, said the panel session gave her some clarity on what to do to address her worries and promote the business.
“I was wondering how to move on now that I have finished school, and the panel session gave me some clarity on what to do to put myself out there and promote my business. I feel more confident about the path ahead”, she added.
The Edo Career Clinic reinforced Jobberman’s commitment to ensuring young Nigerians have access to the skills, connections, and opportunities they need to build dignified and fulfilling careers.
The programme included three intensive breakout sessions led by Esohe Esther Idehen on Interview Etiquette and Personal Branding, John lyoha on Entrepreneurship Development, and Ibrahim Odion on Digital Customer Engagement strategies.
