Azo Nienu stresses the importance of skill development alongside education for better employment opportunities at Erudite Fest 2026
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JAKHAMA — Advisor for Science and Technology, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, on Saturday said that education alone does not guarantee employment unless it is accompanied by skill development, stressing that individuals who are both educated and skilled have better prospects of securing jobs.
“The bitter truth about today's world is that education alone does not guarantee you a job unless it is clubbed with skill development. Those who are skilled and educated can and will land up with a secured job, and that's the truth,” he said.
Nienu was addressing the sixth edition of Erudite Fest 2026 at St Joseph's College (Autonomous), Jakhama, as the special guest at the college's Indoor Stadium.
Highlighting the energy, talent and potential of students, Nienu asserted that youth were the backbone of society but questioned what kind of backbone the younger generation aspired to become.
He asked whether they wanted to be a compromised and broken backbone or one that stood upright, unyielding, tall and strong.
He maintained that strength did not come from comfort or laziness but was forged by overcoming challenges, enduring pressure and stepping out of one's comfort zone.
Nienu said true fulfilment came from taking responsibility and becoming self-made individuals. He added that becoming self-reliant required people to face adversity and challenges rather than run away from them.
To illustrate the consequences of complacency, he referred to a famous observation attributed to Sheikh Rashid Al Maktoum about successive generations enjoying increasing levels of comfort and prosperity, eventually leading to the weakening of future generations.
Quoting the saying, “Hard times create strong men. Strong men create easy times. Easy times create weak men. And weak men create hard times,” he said the present generation must reflect on whether the comforts created through the sacrifices of their forefathers could eventually lead to difficulties for future generations.
He observed that people today enjoyed unprecedented comfort, digital convenience and privileges made possible by the hard work and sacrifices of previous generations.
However, he cautioned that such conveniences could also encourage complacency and discourage individuals from taking on challenges.
“Challenges are not obstacles meant to defeat us; they are necessary tools designed to shape us,” Nienu said, urging students to choose discipline over distraction, take up leadership responsibilities rather than merely complain, and follow a principled path even when it was difficult.
He further advised students against spending their energy criticising leaders, mentors and elders, stating that while it was easy to criticise from the sidelines, it took courage to build.
Referring to Biblical teachings, “Judge not, and you shall not be judged” and “A man reaps what he sows,” he said the integrity, discipline and effort invested today would determine the future of society.
He also referred to the concept of Karma, describing it as a law of natural balance and universal justice, and maintained that no power could prevent the consequences of one's actions.
Urging students not to wish for an easy life, Nienu encouraged them to develop the strength to endure difficult situations, compete with honour and remain steadfast in their values.
“Whenever hardship knocks at your door, do not retreat. Look it in the eye, embrace the challenge and stand upright as a strong generation our society needs,” he said.
He also encouraged students to carry the spirit of discipline and perseverance into every game, debate and interaction during the fest, while wishing the event success.
Earlier, Dr. Fr. George Keduolhou Angami, Principal of St Joseph's College (Autonomous), Jakhama, in his welcome address, said the college organised the fest to provide students with a platform to develop their talents, skills, leadership abilities and confidence.
He said the Erudite Fest had reached its sixth edition and served as a celebration of knowledge, creativity and talent.
It may be mentioned that the fest, primarily organised for postgraduate and seventh-semester students, provides a platform for critical thinking, expression of ideas and discovery of hidden talents beyond conventional classroom learning.