Sheriff Babatunde Lamidi, a Nigerian engineer, educator, mentor, and researcher, has launched a book amid acclaim.
TOP MEDIA reports that the book, ‘Career Paths and Opportunities for Engineering, Science, Art, and Management Students’, covers a wide range of topics such as career planning, job search, resume writing, interview skills, networking, and entrepreneurship, among others.
It also features inspiring stories from successful professionals who have followed their passion and achieved their dreams.
In his speech at the launch in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, Engr. Lamidi stated he decided to write the book to provide students with a comprehensive and practical guide which he said will direct them to navigate the world of careers in engineering, science, art, and management.
His words:
This book is part of my drive to establish Lead and Mentor, an educational social enterprise that provides guidance, coaching, and counselling to youth and students at all levels.
I have achieved extensive success with my students who aspire to pursue graduate studies on fully funded scholarships abroad; in fact, three of my students have gone through the unconventional path of a Higher National Diploma (HND) to a fully funded Ph.D.
It is time to work with the bulk of students who are about to start their undergraduate study journey and make the path easy and rewarding for them too, and this book is evidence of the drive.
My goal is to make this book accessible and useful to as many students as possible, especially those who are in secondary school and at the undergraduate level.
I believe that this book will serve as a valuable resource and guide for them as they navigate their career paths in engineering, science, art, and management.
I also believe that this book will have a positive and lasting impact on their education and career development, as well as on their personal and professional growth. That is why I have a vision to distribute 100,000 copies of this book to secondary school students across Nigeria.
Furthermore, Engr Lamidi solicited support to fund the printing and distribution of the publication to students “who need it most”.
Book launch on career: Experts laud author, Lamidi
Speaking at the book’s launch, the keynote speaker, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, the immediate past Commissioner for Education of Lagos State, labelled the publication “a big book”.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Leading Learning Limited said the book is “much needed and important” for counsellors, parents, and others.
Adefisayo said:
I will let you know why I think the book is important. Number one, it addressed areas of career growth.
When I was growing up, the jobs you could do were lawyer, doctor, engineer, but today there is a plethora of careers they can do.
Sheriff’s book is essential because it teaches secondary school students all the career paths that they can take.
The book also provides a direction for our students in tertiary institutions because it shows them what they are doing and how they would go out to the world and do better.
You know some people reckon that many of the jobs that are going to be available in say 2030 and above have not even been invented now, so how does a child now (sic) manage? So, that is where this book is also important because it doesn’t just talk about the careers, it also talks about the skills that you need to manoeuvre. Because the jobs of the future will need flexibility, open-mindedness, and deep knowledge about some things. Many jobs would become obsolete.
Engr Dr. Olufunmilade Akingbagbohun, the immediate past National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE), congratulated the author.
Dr. Akingbagbohun urged outstanding Nigerians to allow the pursuit of knowledge and excellence to continue to “shape our collective future”.
She said:
To our students, I encourage you to embrace curiosity, resilience, and collaboration. Your path may be challenging, but remember, challengers breed growth. This book serves as a compass, offering insights into the varied career trajectories available to you.
May this book ignite the spark in each reader, guiding them towards a fulfilling career that not only benefits them personally but also leaves a lasting impact on the world.
On her part, Dr Mrs Emmanuella Aribike, Associate Professor of Mathematics, described the author as a passionate and experienced academia with an impressive dedication to education, mentorship, research, and career development.
In a similar vein, Mrs Adepeju Sunmon, a one-time Director of the Standard and Accreditation, Office of the Special Adviser on Education, noted that the author is “a brilliant and dedicated scholar”.
Another expert who spoke at the programme and commended Engr. Lamidi for his brainwork was Dr. Olumuyiwa Igbalajobi, a lecturer at the University of British Columbia, Canada.
Check out some photos from the event below:
