KEMAK Foundation Equips 90 Fresh Graduates for Careers, NYSC and Life After University

By PPraise Chinecherem

As hundreds of thousands of graduates enter an increasingly competitive job market each year, the KEMAK Foundation for Enhancing Sustainable Livelihood has equipped 90 fresh university graduates in Ebonyi State with practical skills, career guidance and mentorship to help them navigate employment, NYSC and life after university.

The beneficiaries, drawn mainly from the 2025/2026 graduating class of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI) and Ebonyi State University (EBSU), participated in the 8th edition of the Fresh Graduates Career Mentorship Summit held at the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) Hall, Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AE-FETHA II).

The summit, themed “Preparation for a Successful Career,” was designed to provide participants with practical knowledge on career development, job and postgraduate scholarship applications, CV preparation, entrepreneurship, public speaking, digital skills and effective participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Speaking at the event, Executive Director of KEMAK Foundation, Dr Makuachukwu Ojide, urged the graduates to move beyond academic qualifications and learn how to effectively communicate their value to employers and scholarship selection committees.

Drawing from his personal experience, Ojide emphasised the importance of presenting achievements rather than merely listing responsibilities when preparing a curriculum vitae.

“When repackaging your CV, focus on projecting your achievements and the value you bring, rather than simply listing the responsibilities you have carried out,” he advised.

He challenged the participants to put the lessons from the summit into practice rather than allowing the knowledge to remain theoretical.

Ojide also pledged that the foundation would continue to mentor the beneficiaries on career development and postgraduate scholarship opportunities for the next five years.

He said the foundation would celebrate their success stories and use them to inspire other young people.

The summit featured speakers from the corporate sector, academia, entrepreneurship, public service and professional development, giving participants a broad perspective on navigating the transition from university to the workplace.

An Assistant Director at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Ebonyi State, Dr Comfort Wilson, spoke on career growth and identified hard work, integrity and mentorship as critical ingredients for professional success.

Sharing from her personal experience, Wilson encouraged the graduates to remain focused and resilient, stressing that they could attain significant heights in their chosen professions if they remained committed to excellence.

“Any one of you can achieve great heights in whatever profession you choose, provided you work hard, remain focused, stay resilient and uphold the fear of God,” she said.

Professor Charles Chikwe Okpala, Professor of Production Engineering and Management Systems and Head of the Department of Industrial/Production Engineering at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, urged the graduates to give serious consideration to entrepreneurship.

According to him, entrepreneurs are able to identify challenges and transform them into opportunities.

“Entrepreneurs transform problems into opportunities,” Okpala said, urging the graduates to approach entrepreneurship with a problem-solving mindset.

He also supported the participants with notebooks.

For Director of Enene Akonjom Foundation, Amb. Mrs Enene Fonne, the graduates must be willing to break away from personal and family limitations in pursuing their aspirations.

She encouraged them to develop courage, resilience and a positive vision for their careers and lives.

“Challenges will always be there, but only those who are courageous enough to face their challenges become successful,” Fonne said.

The NYSC Mobilisation Officer at AE-FUNAI, Comrade Onyebuchi Mpamugo, provided participants with practical information on the NYSC mobilisation process, highlighting common mistakes that often delay prospective corps members.

He encouraged the graduates to familiarise themselves with the mobilisation requirements and make deliberate efforts to maximise their service year.

A public relations expert and staff member of the Public Relations Unit of AE-FUNAI, Mma Ofoma, also spoke on public presentation and communication skills.

She emphasised determination, focus, self-confidence, continuous practice and lifelong learning as essential attributes for career advancement.

Participants were equally exposed to the growing importance of digital skills, with the ApTech Ebonyi team encouraging the graduates to take advantage of technology and digital-learning opportunities to strengthen their employability and remain relevant in the modern workplace.

The beneficiaries expressed appreciation to KEMAK Foundation, the speakers and sponsors for creating an avenue for them to gain practical knowledge and a broader understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with life after university.

Evelyn Nduu, a Mass Communication graduate, described the summit as a significant opportunity to learn and develop the mindset required for a successful career.

An engineering graduate, Testimony Onwe, said the programme was impactful, particularly the lectures, interactions, games and personal experiences shared by professionals.

According to Onwe, the sessions provided a clearer understanding of how young graduates could begin building successful careers.

Another participant, Chinedu Julius, an Economics graduate, described the summit as inspiring, saying the lessons and guidance received would help participants make better career decisions and prepare for the future.

The event, supported by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Ebonyi State; Zenik Tech; One Youth Global; ApTech Ebonyi Team; and F&T Freeman Petroleum Ltd, among others, also featured the presentation of certificates to participants.

KEMAK Foundation for Enhancing Sustainable Livelihood is a non-governmental organisation focused on equipping young people and families with the knowledge, skills and mindset required to build successful careers and sustainable livelihoods.

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