Why Mentoring Young People is my ‘Hobby’, Pantami Reveals in New Book
The immediate-past Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has reiterated his commitment to mentoring the younger generation of Nigerians to achieve success in life.
Pantami made this known at the recent unveiling of his new book titled, “A Scholar’s Journey: Navigating the Academia”, in Abuja, on Wednesday.
According to him, mentors provide helpful guidance and support to their mentees.
Part of the reasons he wrote the book, the ex-Communications and Digital Economy Minister, said was to have a literary material that will serve as a mentorship guide for youngsters in the country, and also the next generation of scholars.
“I decided to put this book together in order to support in bridging the mentorship gap and provide a soft (non-physical) approach to mentorship for the future and upcoming generations.
“This is because writing tends to influence more people and to achieve this through this book, we can say that we have created a mentorship instrument that can outlive us. A mentor shares experience with mentees, while an author also shares experience with readers of their books,” he wrote in the maiden chapter of his book.
Pantami, while citing the story of Microsoft founder, Bill Gates, as an example of the power of mentorship, further wrote: “Gates was mentored by investor and philanthropist, Warren Buffett, who recommended the book “Business Adventures” to Gates.
“The book had a profound impact on Gates and helped shape his approach to business. You can see that in this case, the written information in the book helped Bill Gates succeed and also to become the richest man in the world for 19 years”.
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Pantami’s 341-page book is based on the author’s own experience and insights, and aims to provide guidance for those looking to pursue a career in academia and other sectors.
Meanwhile, Pantami revealed what motivated him to take up a lecturing job after graduating from the university.
He said it was because of his passion for mentoring students.
In the book “A Scholar’s Journey: Navigating the Academia,” Pantami said he opted for the academia at a time most graduates preferred the new booming telecommunication industry that paid fatter salaries, the oil and gas industry or embassies of foreign countries, where they could be employed and paid better.
He observed that research ought to be the lifestyle and attitude of everyone in the academia for both personal and professional growth.
He urged younger generations to remain patient in their field of endeavours and remain proactive in searching for opportunities outside what their institutions offer, even at their own expense.
“I am apprehensive about the tendency for impatience among our youths, including those that have explored a career in academia.
‘There is a rush to rise in their careers without patiently going through the process. My advice to them is that opportunities will eventually come naturally to those who are patient.
“During my transfer to the academic cadre, we were advised by our senior academics both within and outside the university to improve or obtain writing skills to enable us attend conferences and workshops, which were important part of the academic process and progress.
“Additionally, any opportunity you get which would help build your career even if it is at personal level, use your personal resources to pursue it and you will not regret doing that. In the event that you get grants, do not allow the purpose of such research grant given to you to become futile.
“Any other benefits that you gain materially in the process that is legitimate, should always be secondary. In academia, we must make research to be our lifestyle and attitude,” he said.
