Mr. President, What are you doing about graduate unemployement?

President Yar'Adua was quoted saying 'The level of graduate unemployment in the country is alarming and unacceptable" at the convocation ceremony of University of Ibadan. Please tell me you have hard that a thousand times in the last 8 years.
One thing that Nigerians are good at is just talking about our problems. Why can't we just talk more about solutions to our problems.
Each time I read a report somewhere about something, all I see is analysis of our problems, e.g. how long we've had the problem, who is responsible for the problem and so on.

Journalist should please ask this public office holders solution base questions, they should do more research in finding solutions to this problems. This way Nigerians will know what to expect from the government.

If any body has come up with a solution as regards the present level unemployment in the Country, he/she should please share it with Nigerians.

Read the Yar'adua's Speech at the convocation ceremony of University of Ibadan By DailyTrust

Yar'Adua Decries Graduate Unemployment
The level of graduate unemployment in the country is alarming and unacceptable, President Umaru Yar'adua has said. The President said this on Saturday in Ibadan, in an address at the 2007 convocation and 59th Foundation Day ceremony of the University of Ibadan.

Yar'adua, who was represented by the Minister of Education, Dr. Igwe Aja-Nwachukwu, called for an effective interaction between the private sector and tertiary institutions, to remedy the situation. According to him, the ability of Nigeria to emerge as an economic giant, as envisaged by his administration, will depend on the nation's human capital development and transformation.

"The challenge for you here is on how to integrate theory and practical, and thereby stimulate the entrepreneurial behaviour in our students. "Thus there is need for more interaction between the institutions and the industries, with a view to improving the qualities of graduates produced in these institutions.

"The benefit of an effective integration of entrepreneurship in the curricular of tertiary education will no doubt improve the quality of life and living standards, reduce graduate unemployment and under-employment.

"It will also promote the overall socio-economic transformation of the labour force as well as guarantee the efficient and effective growth of Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product", the president said.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Olufemi Bamiro, had called for partnership with government and industries, for the nation to survive the rapid change towards the new global social and economic order. According to him, the compelling forces of global competition and the pace of technological advancement, required successful economic strategies, premised on a high technological content, skilled and flexible work force. "We can not afford to remain on the sidelines in the rapid process of change towards the new global social and economic order.

"We need to re-energise in order to provide the kind of human resources the country needs to spearhead sustainable development," Bamiro said. Mr Gamaliel Onosode, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the council, commended the federal government for adopting dialogue in resolving conflicts in institutions of higher learning.

He also said the council had approved the implementation of the University Radio Project, in line with the institution's new mission statement. According to him, the project, when completed, would enable the university to compete favourably in the field of Sound Broadcasting Communication.

A total of 2,603 graduates were awarded various higher degrees including 162, Doctorate; 11, Master of Philosophy and 185, Post Graduate Diploma in different fields. (NAN)