What Students Are Doing To keep Busy

By Flora Krimi-Johnson

Most of the university students are trying to fill up the free time on their hands by picking up one or two abilities during the srike action embarked upon by the Accademic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Since most of them believe that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop, they have decided to acquire certain relevant skills during this period.

For some, it is computer training, though several ladies have veered into tailoring, hair dressing and beautification. Some others have enrolled to learn handcrafts such as bead making and basket weaving.

They all are, however, quick to say it has not been easy staying at home as they desire to complete their studies within the shortest time possible.

A student of the Federal University of Technology, Akure , studying Industrial Design, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said she had been looking forward to completing her studies before the strike came up, and she had decided to while away the time constructively by working in a galleria in Lagos.

Fibemi Makka, a student of the University of Maiduguri, is one other student who has laid her hand on a quite lucrative business to tide herself over while awaiting the reopening of the schools. She is into the production and sale of sobo and kunu.

According to her, “When the ASUU strike started, I decided to go out to look for a job so I could be busy as it is said that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. However, to my surprise, no one was willing to take me on; not even as a cleaner. There were a lot of things I wanted to do, but they had to wait because I ran out of cash and couldn’t ask my parents either. At that point, I decided to start making zobo and kunu. At the initial stage, it was quite embarrassing but I realised I couldn’t stay idle waiting for the strike to be over or for my parents to give me money which may not be enough to solve my needs since I was not the only child. So far I have rebranded myself and my product. I am not making millions but at least, it is keeping me busy and it is better than staying idle.” She went on to say” I make the drinks in my house, and sell it within the premises. Initially, there was not much demand or sales but after a while, the popularity of the drink rose and I started selling much. This was encouraging because there were a lot of times that it was not easy for me as I had to wake up early on a daily basis to prepare both drinks. Preparing any of the two drinks is a stressful process and anyone can imagine the stress involved in preparing both at the same time and alone. The fact that I didn’t want to turn people away if they wanted any of my commodities spurred me on even in the face of some difficulties.” I can say it has been rewarding, at least now, I no longer ask my mum for money to buy some little things that I need.

Some other students, however, say all they do is stay home to read because they do not want to return to school unprepared for their exams Entrepreneurs say there is an influx of students in their establishments aiming to learn their trades. They, however, lend their voices, as parents, to call on the Federal Government and ASUU to resolve their issues as soon as possible to enable the students resume learning.

Crown Polytechnic Final-Year Students Undergo Entrepreneurship Workshop

THE management of Crown Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, recently organised a five- day workshop on entrepreneurship development for all the final year students.

The entrepreneurship scheme is designed to expose students to real work situations that are not available in classrooms.

The knowledge and skill acquired will assist outgoing students of the polytechnic on self-employment after graduation instead of seeking white collar jobs. Students are allowed to choose an area of interest that suits and compliments their course of study. The courses taken during the workshop ranged from printing of scratch card vouchers to internet repairs of mobile handsets, construction of silent power generator (inverter), production of table water, perfumes to detergent soap making.

The polytechnic rector, Mr. Aderemi Oke, while declaring the workshop open, advised the over 100 participants not to depend on government jobs, adding that Polytechnic education was meant for students to be self reliant.

He assured the students that they could become millionaires with less than N20,000 take off capital.

He told the students to work towards becoming an employer of labour in the future and urged them to be good ambassadors of the Polytechnic.

The workshop was concluded with smiling faces from all the participants at no cost to the students.