The Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) has launched an empowerment scheme to raise the consciousness on skills acquisition and entrepreneurship spirit amongst Benue students.
The initiative tagged “Students Turning Point” aimed at equipping students of tertiary institutions in Benue State with practical skills for self-reliance and a soft loan at 2% interest rates.
The initiative was unveiled at the College of Health Sciences Auditorium of Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, with over 1,000 students in attendance.
Speaking during the launch, the Group Managing Director of BIPC, Raymond Asemakaha, who presented a paper titled “Students Turning Point: Shaping a Great Future,” said to inspire students to discover their purpose, build confidence and develop skills that will make them self-reliant after graduation.
He noted that about 95 percent of what students learn in universities does not directly match labour market realities, urging participants to adopt a new way of thinking about their future.
“We are not discouraging education, but we want you to have a shift in thinking. Job opportunities are scarce, and students must begin to prepare themselves beyond certificates,” he said.
Asemakaha also raised concerns about the increasing number of graduates, noting that over 8,100 new students are admitted this year into Moses Orshio Adasu University, while employment opportunities remain limited.
According to him, BIPC initiated the programme after identifying a significant knowledge and skills gap among students, adding that the company plans to support entrepreneurship by setting aside seed capital accessible to students at a two percent profit rate.
He encouraged students to be creative, make informed life choices and begin asking critical questions about the kind of future they want to build.
Lead facilitator, Ismail Gobir, presented a lecture titled “Mindset Shift,” where he emphasized the importance of developing a growth mindset.
Gobir explained that students must move away from fixed thinking patterns and embrace skills that match the realities of the digital economy. He encouraged participants to acquire digital and vocational skills while still in school.
He highlighted opportunities in areas such as data analytics, AI design tools, remote cloud services and digital platforms, advising students not to rely solely on academic certificates.
Gobir also urged students to take advantage of online learning platforms such as Canva and Coursera, while engaging in volunteering and vocational training.
According to him, students must transition from “going to school only to becoming students who can earn while studying.”
Another speaker, Mimi Swem, shared her personal experiences on how she successfully combined academic pursuits with entrepreneurship.
Similarly, the Deputy Director of the Career Service Centre at Moses Orshio Adasu University, Daniel Peverga Dam, delivered a presentation titled “Unlocking the Power of Innovation and Creativity for Wealth Creation among Nigerian Youths in the 21st Century.”.
Dam encouraged students to embrace innovation and develop solutions to societal challenges, stressing that the youth are not just participants in the 21st century but future leaders.
He identified opportunities in the digital economy, agriculture value chains, creative industries and social media platforms and urged students to think creatively in order to generate wealth.
“Today, wealth is no longer only a product of land and labour but also of ideas and the ability to solve problems,” he said.
Earlier, Dr. Nelson Alybo, Dean of Students Affairs at the university, described the Students Turning Point initiative as first-of-its-kind at the school.
He noted that the programme reflects transformational leadership and provides students with an opportunity to gain practical knowledge that will help them prepare for life after graduation.
The Dean urged students to remain calm, attentive and take full advantage of the opportunity provided by the programme
Student leaders who spoke at the event commended BIPC for the initiative. President of the National Union of Benue State Students, Peter Akpereshi, expressed gratitude to the BIPC management and the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Iormem Alia, for supporting youth development.
Akpereshi also appealed for the introduction of bursary allowances and reduction in school fees for students.
In his remarks, the President of Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), David Owoicho, urged BIPC to further expand the programme to include training on financial literacy and stock trading.
The Students Turning Point programme is expected to continue in other tertiary institutions across Benue State as part of efforts to equip young people with practical skills and entrepreneurial knowledge needed to thrive in the modern economy.
