10 schools in Kwara central benefits from Aliyu Rahmah Initiative projects

By Alaiye Ibrahim Mahfuz

The Aliyu Rahmah Initiative (TAR Initiative) has successfully completed the first phase of its Career Pathways and Choice Awareness Project, benefiting over 1,046 students from 10 schools in Kwara Central.

This outreach program, which took place over a span of two to three weeks, was implemented in a selection of schools among the 2,000 available in the region.

The participating schools included: Ilorin Grammar School, United Secondary School, Shuban Secondary School, Itakudimo, D-Light Academy, Fate, Senior Secondary School, Gbagba, Abata Gambari Senior Secondary School, Bright Diamond Academy, Agric Estate Junction, Government Day Senior Secondary School, Tanke, Sango Senior Secondary School, Kulende, Abata Gambari Junior Secondary School.

Conducted in partnership with Read Rise Initiative and Kayode Alabi Leadership and Career Initiative, the project aimed to engage students in discussions about career choices, subject combinations, and academic direction.

TAR Founder, Aliyu Rahmat Olajumoke, encouraged students to critically consider their career paths, emphasizing the importance of stepping outside their comfort zones and developing relevant skills alongside their formal education to align their studies with their interests and long-term objectives.

Olajumoke noted that the initiative arose from concerns that many youths choose careers influenced by peers or parents, rather than based on informed decisions.

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During the project’s official launch in Ilorin, representatives from the partnering organizations highlighted the links between reading, writing, and future career success. They also introduced students to various tools and strategies to help them navigate their career options.

In an interview, Olajumoke stated that many students enroll in courses without fully understanding them, often due to a lack of proper guidance. She stressed the importance of providing clear explanations of different career paths and their alignment with students’ potential, as many are still exploring their own capacities for future contributions to society.

Ridwan Aboki, a member of the Kayode Alabi Leadership and Career Initiative, also participated in the sessions, introducing “Rafiki,” a WhatsApp chatbot designed to offer young people support and guidance as they consider their career options.

Additionally, speaker Ms. Rafat Sa’adudeen advised students to avoid rushing into career decisions and to resist peer pressure when making choices. The initiative plans to extend its efforts to more schools in Kwara North in upcoming phases.