Mentor young students, minister tasks old students’ associations

THE Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has urged old students’ associations of various schools nationwide to provide mentorship and guidance to young students of their alma mater.

He gave the advice at the convention of the Old Students’ Association of Izzi High School, Abakaliki, in Ebonyi State, saying that alumni associations could also help in improving the quality of teaching and infrastructure of schools through direct involvement in their activities.

Dr Onu further called on student associations to help in enhancing national development and students’ performance in their studies and examination.

“Help in volunteer service. This is a situation whereby professionals of all types can volunteer their time to prepare students for their examinations. The medical doctors among us can help offer free medical services to improve on the health of students,” he said.

The minister also advocated for scholarship for students from disadvantaged homes in order to help cover necessary academic costs.

Dr Onu stressed the need for quality education, saying education, particularly when it encourages innovation and creativity, remains the key to unlocking the tremendous potential of any nation.

Nigeria, according to him, is on its way to greatness, and great things are happening.

The minister encouraged members of the old students’ association of the school not to be discouraged in their efforts to improve the fortunes of their alma mater, but to sustain their efforts as success would surely be achieved.