The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) President of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Mr. Oluwatosin Awelewa, has noted the dwindling economic situation of the country as the reason behind students’ performance at the 2023/2024 exhibition exercise.
The exhibition, which took place on Friday, March 1st, 2024, in the school premises in Ogba, Lagos, required students to display and market various handmade products and services as part of their Vocational Skill Training (VST) to sharpen their entrepreneurship acumen.
The products on display included handmade footwear, keyholders, pearl beads, crystal necklaces and bracelets, flyer and banner designs, picture frames, flour snacks, head bonnets, aprons, and custom dresses.
Students also offered on-the-spot services such as barbing, makeovers, complimentary card design, and the creation of personal blogs.
According to the SRC boss, the present high cost of raw materials gravely discouraged students from producing plenty of products, which consequently made the overall performance below par compared to previous editions.
“Raw materials that were sold for, say, 50 naira three years ago have increased by four times in cost now. So the economic situation of the country badly affected the performance of students at the exhibition for this edition.
“For example, in my skill group, [shoe making], the money that was supposed to go into playing music, refreshments for participants, and improving the ambience all went into raw materials,” Mr Awelewa explained.
He, however, commended students’ willingness to participate in the exercise, noting that they were, at least, able to add to their knowledge by acquiring skills to earn income.
Classes that took part in the activity were the two arms of the National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes, under various skill sets such as shoe making, bead making, blogging, fashion design, graphics design, barbing and catering.
The Deputy Provost of the institution, Dr. Adeboye Ola, was accompanied by the Head of the Department of Mass Communication, Mr. Michael Osuji; Head of Entrepreneurship Centre, Mrs. Bisi Bamishe; and lecturer, Mr. Anthony Oligbo, to assess the products and services on display.
While inspecting the various booths, Dr. Ola commended the students’ willingness to learn new things.
Despite the high cost of raw materials, he stressed the need to consider target markets before placing high prices on products.
“I want you all to put yourself in the position of the buyer and be sincere with yourself when pricing your products.
“It is better to sell at a dozen prices to make it convenient for people to patronise you. It is a strategy to increase sales,” the Deputy Provost advised.
I seek this institution’s progress. God bless NIJ