The 8th Youth Parliament of the Simon Diendong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS) in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region of Ghana through the leadership of Rt. Hon. Mathias Awinbe Akugri and under the patronship of Dr. Adams Abdulai organized a day seminar to enhance students’ capacity in the area of research work (Proposal writing), quality Curricular Vitae (CV) development and financial management.

The programme was part of the SDD-UBIDS 8th parliament first trimester activity schedule for the 2021/2022 academic year.
Speaking on the three topical issues (CV writing, Proposal writing (Research Work) and financial management) Mr. Tahiru Lukman the Chief Executive Officer of Ideapath Consult and Development Consultant emphasized the need for a quality curriculum vitae (CV) since that plays a vital role in the job market. He explained the difference between a resume and a CV and indicated what CVs / resumes should contain.

Regarding research work, he cautioned students to be mindful of research ethics and to avoid copying intellectual works of other people. He added that a CV is that one document that provides readers or employers the professional details of the individual. It must be prepared such that, it is striking and conclusive.

He also cautioned that, we should avoid coping peoples CVs and should also avoid being deceptive in the information we provide on our CVs for the experience is that, you find applicants add some professional qualities on their CVs and yet are unable to defend questions on such areas. Therefore, the need to be as candid as possible, since that is one good quality most organisation expects from job seekers.

He also made available some time to provide further explanation on how to prepare a cover letter, where he concluded that “Honourable members, your cover letter should be brief and smart, please avoid providing too much details of yourselves on the cover letter since that’s already in the CV”.

On research work, he gave an in-depth clarification as to what is expected in research chapters – starting from Chapter One the introductory Chapter to Chapter five the Concluding chapter. During the presentation on research work, he recoiled that, its advisable to write on researchable topics and to also build on topics that are based on our interest and our immediate environment. He also hinted to easily access literature on every topic, one should consider breaking the topic further. He added that we could learn referencing from the APA referencing format.

On financial management, he urged students to be prudent with financial expenditure to develop a culture of financial discipline. He schooled students on Banking practice, savings, investment porfolios, business plan development and budgeting.

He cautioned students not to be desperate to secure their financial freedom through lottery and gambling or investing in high-risk Ponzi schemes.
After several hours of presentation and sharing his great life experiences, and practical examples including great scenarios that ensured proper and detailed understanding of all participant, a session for questions time also followed; participants had the opportunity to ask questions for clarifications as well as share experiences for better lesson learning, participants expressed gratification to Mr Tahiru Lukman for the refreshing delivery.

Nonetheless they never seized contributing and asking questions.
Participants requested that Youth Parliament consider such seminars in the coming trimesters and in the years ahead, since that helps in the human capital of both members and the university community.
The speaker of the 8th Youth Parliament Rt. Hon. Mathias Awinbe Akugri was full of praise for the resource person concerning the in-depth experiences and quality of the presentation offered.

He expressed his appreciation on behalf of the youth parliament and described the knowledge gained as an opportunity for students to reposition themselves for the coming days most especially those in their final year of study.
The NUGS president Mr. Christian Kwesi Majeed questioned why students continue not to show a strong commitment to carrier development seminars. He was however excited that the programme was somewhat well attended
The Students Representative President (SRC) Miss Priscilla Khadi Vawurah who was the distinguished chairperson for the occasion; beamed students’ lack of interest in career development and charged those present to put into practice the new knowledge and experience to gain self-development.
The deputy minority leader of the 8th Youth Parliament Hon. Agumah Sebastian Mbabugri in delivering his votes of thanks re-iterated the continuous support of Mr. Tahiru Lukman to the house and described his work as a true definition of Youth Activism, a total embodiment of youth development and a true development consultant; he reassured participants’ commitment to be guided with knowledge gain, he also added that, like Oliva twist, the honourable house will be knocking on his doors to get more of his experience and knowledge.

Source: Tahiru Lukman
Youth Activist, Dev’t Consultant and Pan- African Author
Tel: +233 (0) 209154057 / +233 (0) 551018778
Email: lukmantahiru@rocketmail.com