THE Federal Government has promised more job opportunities for the teeming unemployed graduates, saying it has embedded such opportunity in the budget with the focus on the private sector.
This was disclosed on Saturday by President Muhammadu Buhari in his speech at the 28th convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State.
Represented by the deputy executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Chiedu Mafiana, President Buhari said “in spite of the challenges our dear nation is going through, my administration will remain focused and resilient in promoting teaching and research that engender self-reliance and employability.
“In this regard, government has embedded opportunities for job creation in the budget with focus on the private sector, so that today’s graduates and their predecessors yet to be gainfully employed can leverage the available entrepreneurial opportunities.”
He also said his administration has embarked on the development of a roadmap ‘Education for Change’ with clearly defined objectives and strategies to uplift the education sector and also place education on the front burner because of its role in nation building.
He enjoined the graduands to use their acquired skills to bring fresh and stimulating contributions to the change agenda of the nation.
President Buhari also commended the university management under the leadership of the vice chancellor, Professor Adebiyi Daramola, for transforming the institution in terms of intellectual breakthrough and infrastructure development.
He particularly mentioned FUTA’s involvement in the recent launch of a Cube Satellite in Japan, saying “I commend efforts made by FUTA to launch a Cube Satellite through collaboration with Kyushu Institute of Technology (KIT), Japan and the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to ensure the participation of Nigeria in the unique network of global research and space outreach.”
The Ondo State governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, in his address also pledged that his administration would do its best to make sure that the new graduates are gainfully employed.
He urged them to apply the training they have acquired to the society positively by creating jobs.
Akeredolu praised the effort of the vice chancellor in transforming the landscape of FUTA, commending judicious utilisation of funds internally generated to build some of the infrastructure.
In separate addresses, the chancellor of the university and Emir of Bauchi, HRH, Alhaji (Dr) Rilwan Suleiman Adamu; the pro-chancellor and chairman, governing council, Dr Mohammad Shata; and Professor Adebiyi Daramola commended the federal government’s effort at revamping all sectors of the nation’s economy through the Change Agenda, and urged the graduands to key into it.
The vice chancellor also enjoined the graduands to continue to be good and worthy ambassadors of the university as they positively impart the world.
At the event, a former minister of agriculture and current president, African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, was conferred with the honorary Doctor of Science (Management) in recognition of his dynamic contributions to the society.
At the event, 4,790 were conferred with FUTA degrees, ranging from Diploma to Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). 68 people were awarded diploma; 2,889 the bachelor degree (85 with First Class honours); 954 postgraduate diplomas (PGD); 767 master degrees and 112 doctorates.
Ali Adul-Hafeez Somomhe, from the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE), in the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET), emerged the overall best student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.89.