9/26/2026
FETHI CMD Charges Students on Right Career Choices for Employability
The Chief Medical Director, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti (FETHI), Prof. Kolawole Ogundipe, has advocated informed career choices as a pathway to youth employability and professional progression. He gave these charges at the Ido Country Club (ICC) 2026 Scholarship Award and Career Choice/Progression on Friday.
The presentation, with the theme: "Making the Right Career Choice for Employability and Progression", was designed to provide an opportunity for young people and other participants to gain insights into career choices and their implications for future employability and professional development.
Doing justice to the topic, Prof. Ogundipe congratulated beneficiaries of the Ido Country Club Scholarship Scheme, describing the award not merely as financial assistance but as an investment in the future of the community.
"A scholarship is an investment. And whenever somebody invests in you, there is an implied question: What will you do with this opportunity?" he charged.
Addressing students, young people, parents and members of the community, the CMD challenged beneficiaries to see the scholarship as a social contract. According to him, the Club is saying "We believe in you," while the beneficiaries must respond with commitment to become the best versions of themselves.
Prof. Ogundipe said the vision of the Club is to build a cycle of community development where "Someone helped you. You succeed. You help someone else," stressing that today's scholars must become tomorrow's benefactors.
In one of the core sessions, Prof. Ogundipe warned students against choosing careers due to peer pressure, parental pressure for titles, prestige or the desire to impress people.
"Your friend's strengths may not be your strengths. Your friend's passion may not be your passion. Your friend's circumstances may not be yours. You are not living your friend's life," he cautioned.
He urged students to make a choice that fits their interests, strengths, values, goals and future, rather than what suits others. He explained that career planning has fundamentally changed. The old model of "Go to school, get a degree, get a job and retire" no longer guarantees success.
He unveiled a new employability formula for the modern world as: Employability = Education (what you know) + Skills (what you can do) + Experience (what you have done) + Adaptability (your ability to learn and adjust) + Character (what people can trust you for).
He noted that technology, Artificial Intelligence, automation and entrepreneurship are reshaping professional practice, with some jobs set to change significantly and new jobs that do not exist today becoming major occupations tomorrow.
"Don't prepare only for today's job market. Prepare to remain relevant in tomorrow's job market," he told the audience.
For secondary school students in attendance, he advised them to build strong foundations in English, Mathematics, Science, Digital Literacy, Reading, Communication and Critical Thinking, while exploring different professions, volunteering, and not allowing a single examination to define their lives.
The event had in attendance, the Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti, His Royal Majesty, Oba Captain Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro and his queen, Olori Ngozi Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro, the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) FETHI, Dr Olabisi Adeyemo, members of the CMD's entourage, members of the Club under the leadership of the President, Engr. Omololu Olofintuyi, Scholarship Committee, distinguished guests, parents and guardians, past awardees and students of Ido Community.
Information/Corporate Affairs Department, FETHI.