Ikeja’s affiliate of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) unveiled its mentorship program to address skills gaps and unemployment in the country.

The Nigeria News Agency (NAN) reports that the mentorship program was unveiled by past and present presidents alongside members of society on Thursday evening at its monthly combined virtual / physical meeting in Lagos.

NAN also reports that the program involved 35 mentees and 15 mentors.

The ceremony was labeled: “NSE Ikeja Branch – Adigun Arewa Mentorship Scheme (NIBAAMS)” Cohort 2021.

The branch president, Mr. Olutosin Ogunmola, during his presentation, enumerated the challenges caused by the skills shortage, which made the young people of the country considered as unemployable at one time.

He said mentoring was the best way to transfer practical knowledge, fill the skills gap and create mass employment opportunities.

According to him, the mentoring program will help engineers who have transferred into other fields, but who still have an interest in reconnecting with practical knowledge, and being able to create jobs.

Speaking about the benefits of mentoring, Ogunmola said the people being mentored were generally ahead and outperformed their peers.

“It’s about not having to reinvent the wheels, taking advantage of those who came before you, telling you where not to walk, how to do things,” he said.

Ogunmola added that the program launched by its predecessor about two years ago aimed to equip the next generation of engineers with current trends, in order to have a global impact with cutting-edge innovations.

He said the program was named after the late Adigun Arewa, a past president, passionate about mentoring and operating with the vision of making an impact on young engineers during their lifetime.

“The next generation of engineers is the one that is well prepared,” he said.

According to him, practical skills will be impacted on mentees to bridge the gap between classroom theory and actual practice in the field of engineering, in order to remain useful and relevant in the global space.

The boss of the NSE added that specific areas were taken into consideration during the selection process and that mentees marched with mentors, in their areas of specialization.

He urged mentees to properly use the program to enhance growth and development.

Mentors, including past branch president Mr. Akin Akintola, took turns sharing their thoughts on the importance, benefits and benefits of the mentorship program. (NAN)

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