‘We Do Not Have Job For Graduates’ — VP Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima has tasked universities to create more jobs and wealth to fight poverty and unemployment in the nation.

According to him, the accredited 43 federal universities should focus on creating employment opportunities in various sectors of the nation’s economy.

Shettima, who spoke yesterday at the 24th combined convocation ceremony of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), Borno State, noted that the noblest duty a person should undertake in life is to serve the people at all levels.

The vice president added that to serve humanity, one must train the mind, shape character, and find a purpose in creating job opportunities and wealth to curb both poverty and unemployment in the nation.

“This university has nurtured those aspirations,” he said, adding that it provided the direction that led him to become the vice president.

He, therefore, acknowledged the impact of his educational journey, describing himself as a product of a civilization that valued education.

Shettima, who represented the visitor to the university, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said: “I’m committed as an ambassador of the institution with a privilege to uphold its values by accepting today’s honorary degree with three other personalities.”

Shettima commissioned the Abdul Samad Rabin International Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and re-launched the University Endowment Fund on the sidelines of the event.

Three honorary degrees were conferred on the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and Dahiru Bobbo.

Three other personalities Abubakar Mustapha, Muhammad Yerima Balla, and Bamidele Badejo were also conferred with Professor Emeriti.

Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Aliyu Shugaba, disclosed that 15 graduates were conferred with Distinctions in various fields of studies.

He added that 147 graduated with First Class, out of which 86 came from the regular undergraduate programs with 61 from affiliated colleges.

He said that 1, 698 students were awarded postgraduate degrees.

“Out of this, there are 113 PhDs, 817 Master’s degrees, and 902 postgraduate diploma graduands,” he added.

On the challenges of varsity, he said that despite the Boko Haram insurgency, the university has never shut down.

He noted that closing the university would amount to a victory for the insurgents, as it would give them the opportunity to conscript some of the students into the Boko Haram sect.

Dignitaries present at the event included the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Garbai El-Kanemi; Governors Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Agbu Kefas of Taraba State, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, among others.