From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, has taken steps to strengthen mentorship and guidance for its students through a Career Counseling Workshop, held for Heads of Departments and Deputy Registrars of the institution.
The programme, organised in collaboration with Multicline Limited, was designed to equip senior staff with skills needed to guide students towards making better life and career choices.
Declaring the workshop open, the Rector, Engineer Abdul Mohammed, described the initiative as “training the trainers,” noting that staff members must be equipped to provide direction to students in an era where many young people are vulnerable to social vices.
“Students today face numerous challenges that can lead them down the wrong path. As future leaders, it is imperative that our youths receive the guidance they need to uphold the integrity of the mantle of leadership that will one day be handed to them,” the Rector stated.
He explained that the workshop, supported by Tetfund, is part of a broader mandate of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), which has directed all tertiary institutions to establish a guidance and counseling unit.
According to him, the training marks a preparatory step towards setting up the unit at Kwarapoly.
Delivering a lecture titled “The Role of Institutional Administrators and Academics in Promoting Effective Delivery of Guidance and Counseling Services to Students,” Professor Lasiele Yahaya urged participants to embrace mentorship as a critical tool for producing disciplined and visionary graduates.
Participants lauded the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful in building their capacity to provide effective support for students within their respective departments.