Students of the National Diploma 2 (ND2) and Higher National Diploma 2 (HND2) classes at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, Lagos showcased their creativity and entrepreneurial skills during the exhibition for the 2024/2025 academic session.
The exhibition, which is a compulsory activity and part of the institution’s Vocational Skill Training exercise, took place at the school premises in Ogba on Monday, March 3.
Students displayed a variety of handmade products and services, including shoemaking, barbing, catering, soap making, beadwork, bag making, and other crafts.
The initiative was designed to equip the students with practical skills beyond journalism, fostering self-reliance and economic empowerment.
The lecturer in charge and coordinator of the NIJ Entrepreneurship Center, Mrs. Bisi Bamise, supervised the occasion.
She was accompanied by the Provost, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, and the Deputy Provost, Dr. Adeboye Ola.
They went from stall to stall, observing the products exhibited and asking questions about the process that the students observed in converting raw materials to the goods.
Other lecturers participated in the observation to assess and commend the students’ work.
Speaking at the exhibition, Mr. Adefaye praised the students for their dedication and innovation, emphasizing the importance of acquiring vocational skills alongside academic knowledge. “The world is evolving, and having multiple skills will not only make you self-sufficient but also open doors to numerous opportunities,” he said.
When asked about how this vocational training aligns with NIJ’s vision for student development, Mr. Adefaye stated, “At NIJ, we believe in producing well-rounded graduates. Journalism is a dynamic field, and having additional skills empowers our students to be versatile in an ever-changing media landscape. This initiative equips them with the ability to not only work in the media industry but also become entrepreneurs and job creators.”
Among the students who participated in the exhibition was HND 2 student, Emmanuel Ashemiriogwa, who was part of the show making group.
Speaking about his passion for the craft, he said, “Yes, I definitely see myself pursuing shoemaking as a business in the future. This skill has opened my eyes to the creativity and craftsmanship involved in making quality footwear. There’s a high demand for stylish and durable shoes, and I believe I can build a brand that caters to different tastes. Whether full-time or as a side business, I see great potential in turning this skill into a profitable venture.”
Another student from ND2, Eniola Akanbi, shared her experience as the team leader in catering.
Reflecting on the challenges faced during the training, she said, “As a team leader in catering, one of the major challenges we faced was time management, especially in coordinating different tasks like meal preparation, presentation, and service. Some team members also had little experience in certain aspects of cooking, which initially slowed us down.”
She said they overcome those challenges by improving teamwork, assigning tasks based on individual strengths, and practicing effective communication.
“We also conducted quick training sessions to help everyone improve, and in the end, we worked together smoothly to deliver quality results,” the student added.
Mrs. Bamise lauded the students’ efforts, noting that their commitment to the training was evident in the quality of work displayed.
“This exhibition is proof that our students are not just media professionals in the making but also potential entrepreneurs,” she remarked.
Speaking on the challenges encountered while organising the training and exhibition, Mrs. Bamise revealed, “One major challenge was getting students to embrace these skills wholeheartedly.
“Many initially saw it as a distraction from their journalism training, but over time, they realized the value and put in their best efforts. Seeing their transformation and the amazing work they have produced today makes it all worthwhile.”
As with previous editions, the exhibition reinforced NIJ’s commitment to producing well-rounded graduates equipped for both the media industry and entrepreneurial ventures.
PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT:
