Covenant University’s Department of Economics and Development Studies recently organized a Town and Gown seminar, emphasizing the pivotal role of emotional intelligence and ethical integrity in achieving career success. The seminar featured a keynote address by Ayotilewa Sijuade, who delved into the importance of these qualities in professional growth.

In her address to the students, Sijuade emphasized that while technical expertise is critical, the ability to build meaningful workplace relationships and maintain ethical standards is what ultimately shapes long-term career success. She referred to emotional intelligence as the ‘superpower for success,’ highlighting that skills such as self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, motivation, and social interaction are vital for overcoming workplace challenges and fostering effective teamwork.

The seminar also tackled the issue of ethical dilemmas, both in academic and professional settings, urging students to uphold integrity in all their endeavors. Sijuade stressed the importance of honesty and accountability, explaining that once personal credibility is compromised, it is hard to rebuild. She went on to introduce essential career growth pillars, including time management, adaptability, critical thinking, and networking.

The event concluded with a call to action for students to incorporate emotional intelligence and ethical integrity into their personal and professional lives. Sijuade emphasized that true success is not solely about intellectual ability but is built on a foundation of strong ethical values and interpersonal skills.

In her remarks, the Head of the Department of Economics, Professor (Mrs.) Augustina Oluwatotin Matthew, urged students to seriously consider the insights shared by Sijuade, especially as they prepare to transition from their academic journey at Covenant University to the professional world. She also praised the guest speaker for her valuable contributions to the students' learning experience and expressed hope for future engagements.

The Town and Gown series is a distinctive initiative by Covenant University, providing a platform for industry leaders and professionals to share their knowledge with students. This initiative is designed to better prepare students for the realities of the professional world upon graduation.