The University of Port Harcourt has partnered with Nestlé Nigeria on a transformative career development programme aimed at equipping students with employability skills and reducing the growing rate of youth categorised as Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).
The initiative was part of a national directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, who tasked the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) with establishing Career Services Intervention Centres in Nigerian universities. In line with this mandate, the University of Port Harcourt, through its Counselling Intervention Centre, in collaboration with Nestlé Nigeria, hosted a one-day career empowerment event.
Held on Thursday, June 26, the programme featured a comprehensive training session on Resume Writing and Interviewing Skills, which was officially declared open by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Owunari Abraham Georgewill.
The VC urged students to take full advantage of the opportunity to develop essential skills for navigating today’s competitive job market.
“This is a chance for you to prepare not just for jobs, but for meaningful careers,” the Vice-Chancellor said, encouraging participants to position themselves strategically for life beyond the university.
In her opening remarks, Professor Ijeoma Ernest Ehibudu, Director of the Counselling Intervention Centre, offered valuable advice to students, emphasising the importance of self-awareness and presentation.
“Your resume is your first impression,” she said, adding that “clarity, authenticity, and self-discovery are keys to standing out.”
The session covered a range of topics from reflective thinking and career visioning to practical exercises in resume development and interview strategies. Resource persons from Nestlé in Nigeria and Ghana led training segments and also offered individualised support to guide students in making informed career decisions.
The event builds on ongoing collaboration efforts between the University and Nestlé to provide career-focused resources and mentorship for students.
The University expressed appreciation to TETFund for sponsoring the event, describing it as an impactful step toward bridging the gap between academic learning and workforce readiness.
“UniPort remains committed to preparing our students for success beyond the classroom,” the organisers noted.
