FETHI CMD Charges Students on Right Career Choices for Employability

The Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Prof. Kolawole Ogundipe, has advocated informed career choices as a pathway to youth employability and professional progression.

He gave the charge at the Ido Country Club 2026 Scholarship Award and Career Choice/Progression programme held on Friday.

The event, themed "Making the Right Career Choice for Employability and Progression", was designed to provide insights into career choices and their implications for future employability and professional development.

Speaking on the theme, Prof. Ogundipe congratulated beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme, describing the award not merely as financial assistance but as an investment in the future of the community.

"A scholarship is an investment. And whenever somebody invests in you, there is an implied question: What will you do with this opportunity?" he said.

He challenged beneficiaries to see the scholarship as a social contract, noting that the Club's gesture signifies belief in them, which must be reciprocated with commitment to excellence.

According to him, the vision of the Club is to build a cycle of community development where someone helped you, you succeed, and you help someone else, stressing that today's scholars must become tomorrow's benefactors.

Prof. Ogundipe warned students against choosing careers due to peer pressure, parental pressure for titles, prestige or the desire to impress people.

"Your friend's strengths may not be your strengths. Your friend's passion may not be your passion. Your friend's circumstances may not be yours. You are not living your friend's life," he cautioned.

He urged students to make choices that fit their interests, strengths, values, goals and future, rather than what suits others, noting that the old model of "go to school, get a degree, get a job and retire" no longer guarantees success.

He unveiled a new employability formula as: Employability = Education (what you know) + Skills (what you can do) + Experience (what you have done) + Adaptability (ability to learn and adjust) + Character (what people can trust you for).

He noted that technology, artificial intelligence, automation and entrepreneurship are reshaping professional practice, with some jobs set to change significantly and new jobs that do not exist today becoming major occupations tomorrow.

"Don't prepare only for today's job market. Prepare to remain relevant in tomorrow's job market," he told the audience.

He advised secondary school students to build strong foundations in English, Mathematics, Science, digital literacy, reading, communication and critical thinking, while exploring professions, volunteering, and not allowing a single examination to define their lives.

The event was attended by the Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro and his queen, Olori Ngozi Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro, Chairman Medical Advisory Committee, FETHI, Dr Olabisi Adeyemo, President of the Club, Engr. Omololu Olofintuyi, members of the scholarship committee, parents, past awardees and students.