As part of its attempts to reduce the number of unemployed youth, the federal government says it is willing to lend money to university graduates who want to work in farming or mining.
“Government is working hard to unlock the potential in agricultural and mining sectors of the economy to provide loans for graduates who are willing go into agriculture,” President Ahmed Bola Tinubu said at the weekend in Katsina.
He spoke in a message he sent during the seventh and eight combined convocation ceremony of the Federal University Dutsinma (FUDMA), Katsina State.
The Vice Chancellor, Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State, Prof. Abdulkarim Sabo Mohammed, represented Tinubu at the programme and read the President’s address.
According to Buhari, “in this regard, government has mandated the National Universities Commission to develop a blueprint through the new Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standard (CCMAS) that will respond promptly to the rapid changing skill needs in the labour market.
“Such effort should identify and develop new strategic initiative in skill development and training that will facilitate effective collaboration between universities and employers of labour.
“And it will also improve long time opportunity and aspiration of educating young people and aspire value entrepreneanuership related carriers.
“It is pertinent to emphasise that present administration is committed in tackling the challenge of unemployment particularly among the graduands of our tertiary institutions.”
Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment towards tackling the insecurity situation in the country.
As he put it, “this administration is fully committed and determined to combat and defeat all acts of terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities in the country especially in this part (north) of this country.
“However, this cannot be achieved without the support of and cooperation of all Nigerians.
“Security is a collective responsibility and I therefore appeal to all Nigerians to join hands with the government by giving useful information to security agents.”
“The issue of funding universities in Nigeria is a challenge especially at this time when the country is facing economic challenges. “The funding of universities cannot be done by government alone.
“All universities should seriously consider more efficient way of resource mobilisation to improve their IGR and find ways to attract funds for research across the world.”
A total of 4,365 students graduated from various degrees at the ceremony alongside 401 post-graduate and 11 PhD students.
In his speech, the FUDMA Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Armaya’u Hamish Bichi, noted that the institution has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of West Georgia, USA, designed to boost teaching, learning and research which will last for an initial period of five years.