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From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
The Chancellor of Godfrey Okoye University and Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s worsening unemployment crisis, warning that the country risks wasting the talents of millions of young people if urgent action is not taken.
Speaking during the 13th Convocation Ceremony of Godfrey Okoye University, held yesterday in Enugu, Kaigama said he was deeply troubled by the growing number of graduates roaming the streets in search of opportunities that do not exist.
“It pains me as a bishop to see scores of young, talented and dynamic graduates roaming aimlessly on the streets. Every day, they come to me with their CVs, looking for what to do with the knowledge they struggled so hard to acquire in the university,” he lamented.
Kaigama disclosed that during his years in Jos, he had “cartons containing CVs and credentials of young people” seeking help, adding that the situation had worsened in Abuja, where he now has “boxes of CVs” from desperate graduates who believe he can call “big people” in government to secure employment for them.
He stressed that neither the Church nor clergy can serve as employment agencies, insisting that job creation is the responsibility of government and the private sector.
“Many think that because the Senate President and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation are Catholics, I can make one phone call and employment will fall into place. If it were that easy, I would do it. But the system simply does not give maximum attention to our dynamic and energetic youths,” he said.
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Kaigama warned that the unemployment crisis, now cutting across all regions, poses a danger to the country’s stability, noting that frustrated youths often fall victim to crime, drugs and mental health challenges.
Kaigama urged the new graduates to carry their values into society and use their knowledge for collective progress, not just personal advancement.
The Archbishop also commended the efforts of Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, especially in education and security, describing his initiatives as worthy models for other states.
“The governor’s plan to build 260 technologically-advanced Smart Green Schools and the new high-tech security Command and Control Centre are significant steps. If more states adopt multidimensional initiatives like these, our youths will be meaningfully engaged,” he said.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Christian Anieke, announced that 660 students graduated, including 22 First Class graduates, with the overall best student attaining a CGPA of 5.96.
Prof Anieke highlighted the university’s rapid growth, including its expanding medical college, fully functional teaching hospital, Africa-leading DNA Learning Centre, and increasing global footprint of alumni.
“From 215 students at inception, we now have over 5,000 students across 87 accredited programmes,” he said.
