The Ndokwa Neku Union (NNU) has unveiled a comprehensive career discovery and development programme to tackle inadequate career guidance among secondary school students across Ndokwa communities in Delta.
NNU is the foremost socio-cultural and political apex organisation for the Ndokwa ethnic nationality, primarily located in Delta.
The initiative was launched on Monday at Utagba-Ogbe Grammar School, Kwale, in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, by the President-General of the union, Chief Amechi Asugwuni.
He said the programme followed findings that many students lacked adequate information to make informed career choices.
He said the initiative would expose students to diverse career opportunities, help them identify their talents and interests, and provide practical guidance needed to prepare for future academic and professional pursuits.
Asugwuni said the programme would be implemented in all 66 public secondary schools across the 37 clans in Ndokwa land through a standard framework designed to guarantee equal access to quality career guidance.
He commended the Delta Ministry of Secondary Education for supporting the initiative, noting that the government’s renewed emphasis on strengthening career guidance in schools aligned with the union’s educational development objectives.
The member representing Ndokwa West Constituency in the Delta House of Assembly, Mr Charles Emetulu, described education as the surest path to success and urged students to pursue professional careers with strong future prospects.
He encouraged students to study Medicine, Pharmacy, Engineering and other science-based disciplines, stressing that projects such as the proposed Kwale Industrial Park would create opportunities requiring highly skilled indigenous professionals.
Emetulu expressed concern over the declining number of Ndokwa students seeking admission into professional courses and urged parents and teachers to provide effective mentorship to help children make informed career decisions.
The State Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu, in his keynote address advocated the establishment of Career Guidance Units in all public secondary schools to strengthen students’ academic and career development.
Ashibogwu advised students to discover their abilities early, cultivate good character, embrace technology responsibly and use Artificial Intelligence to enhance learning rather than engage in activities that undermine education.
He also urged parents to support, rather than dictate, their children’s career choices, while calling on teachers to play stronger mentoring roles in nurturing responsible and productive future professionals.
Earlier, the Principal of Utagba-Ogbe Grammar School, Mr Isaac Azugbogu, described the initiative as the first of its kind in the school and expressed confidence that it would broaden students’ career aspirations and improve guidance services.
