The acquisition of soft skills for students to become self-reliant and eligible for employment by industries took centre stage during a career training programme on “Communication Skills and Soft skills Development “ for students of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education
The training programme, the third in the series was put together by the Career Services Centre of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) Rumuolumeni Port-Harcourt Rivers State Nigeria on Tuesday 30th June, 2026 at the Postgraduate Hall of the University .
Declaring the workshop open, the Director Academic Planning Unit, Professor Joseph Kinanee who represented the Vice Chancellor of IAUE Professor Okechuku Onuchuku commended the Centre for ensuring that in addition to hard skills like degrees and certificates, students acquire soft skills noting that TETFUND established Career Services Centre across Nigerian Universities for that purpose.
He implored the students to be intentional and to learn how to communicate emphasizing that many have missed golden opportunities because of lack of good communication skills.
He also explained that the Federal Government overhauled the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC) after fifty three (53) years of its existence and that Corp Members will now be in the Orientation Camp for a period of six weeks as against the normal three weeks.
Apart from the period extension, Professor Joseph Kinanee stated that there is transition to Civilian led leadership with the traditional Khaki uniform being replaced with indigenous Adire fabric.
He also informed of the change in the passing out parade which will now take the form of a graduation ceremony.
The National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC) he added is now soft skills development and employment oriented.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) the Director Academic Planning Unit further explained revised the curriculum of all programmes with emphasis on aspects of development of the 21st century skills.
He enjoined the students to pay attention and to take the training seriously while imploring the Career Services Centre to evaluate and track the process and output of the workshops on the students and to give progress report to TETFUND .
In his address, the Director Career Services Centre IAUE Dr Hager Amakiri said that the training reflects the University’s commitment to preparing students for success beyond the classroom.
She informed that the initiative facilitated through the support of TETFUND investments has strengthened Career Services Centres in addition to expanding opportunities for students to acquire practical skills that enhance their career readiness and lifelong development.
While appreciating TETFUND valuable contributions to higher education in the country, Dr Amakiri thanked the Vice Chancellor of IAUE Professor Okechuku Onuchuku for his unwavering support for students focused initiatives which has continued to strengthen the activities of the Career Services Centre and promote the holistic development of IAUE students.
She encouraging the students to listen, engage with the facilitators and take advantage of the opportunity to build skills that will distinguish them in their future careers.
The knowledge and experiences gained she further stated would remain valuable after the programme that will provide them with practical insights and contribute meaningfully to their academic journey and future careers.
The Dean Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ibiere Ken-Maduako and the Director Research and Development while delivering their lectures on “Career Training on Communication Skills and Soft skills Development” pointed out that students would appreciate, understand and be more tolerant of people’s culture when they have soft skills and also become experts in effective communication.
They described soft skills as language behaviour, character traits, ability to have empathy and reason with others noting that acquisition of soft skills will make them the most valuable assets.
They also informed them to find and trade the path that no one else has adding that stretched zone is where innovations spring from and encouraged the students to adapt to situations and explore new angles.
In her vote of thanks, the Deputy Director of Career Services Centre Professor Dorothy Inko-Tariah expressed gratitude to TETFUND for the disbursement cycle to Nigerian Territory Education through its Career Services Centre and to the Vice Chancellor of IAUE Professor Okechuku Onuchuku for releasing the funds for the training workshop for students to build employability and for them to connect with industries.
She also appreciated the resource persons for motivating and inspiring the students with their presentations. The next workshop is scheduled for Tuesday July 7, 2026 at the Postgraduate Hall of the University.
