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By Madu Obi
Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has reminded Nigeria's new graduates of the bleak future ahead of them in view of lack of jobs, noting that 80% of them are not likely to practice what they studied.
Delivering the 13th convocation lecture of Veritas University, Abuja, Soludo compared the current situation in the country with what it was in 1984 when he graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
He said: "The global mega trends are such that only those who have scalable skills and continuously innovate and adapt will thrive. Soon, you will face some uncomfortable truths.
"For starters, your dream jobs are not there, and about 80% of you will not practice what you studied. It is scary and I am not sure how adequately the University has prepared you for survival in chaotic times.
As I draw the parallels between my time of graduation and yours, I am not sure whether to say congratulations or commiserations. But what you make of the current situation depends on whether you see it as a challenge or an opportunity. For me, Nigeria remains black man’s greatest opportunity.
The next one year of National Youth Service - may be the year for re-setting. You will meet new people; you will stumble on new ideas —good and bad; and you may even try some adventures.
Many of you probably only studied/read seriously while preparing for examinations, and believe that henceforth, the torture is over. I have bad news for you. Your bachelor’s degree (B.A) might mean 'Begin Again'.
In today’s world, there is a connection between continuous learning and earning. If you stop learning, you start decaying or you can sum it in a slogan: learn more to earn more! I have heard several of the richest people in the world brag about how many non-fiction books they read in a year. I will not say more.
As you venture into the uncertain world, you will need all the help you can get. You will need all the networks and partnerships you can get. Success in life is not just about what you know but even more so about whom you know.
As the saying goes, if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together. So, you will need the help of others to get ahead. Soon you will start looking for jobs or other ‘helps’ from people to jumpstart a new life.
For some decades I always had young people approach me to help them find a job, and when you ask, ‘what do you want to do,’ a common answer was, anything.
Of course, anything cannot take you anywhere because if you don’t have a destination in mind, any road will take you there.
So, my only tip to you on this occasion is to always seek intentionally to add value. Before you approach someone for help, there is a minimum investment/preparation you must make to be ready to be helped. When you approach people, start with what value you will bring to the table—how you intend to ‘help them.’ This might sound counter intuitive.
Paradoxically, that is also how you make money. Making money cannot be an objective; adding value is what makes money. Think of it for a moment. The richest people in the world (through enterprise, and not through rent or criminality), are those who set out to solve specific problems for society, and money followed as a reward naturally!.
Think of the inventors, the software developers who set out to connect people socially - industrialists, consultants, tailors, traders, or anyone seeking to create value for customers, and how money followed them consequently.
So, the next time you approach someone for help, start by telling them what you can also do for them, and you will see that they are more likely to listen to you than if you approach them for charity.
When you are going to apply for job, spend time to research how you can help to improve the fortune of the company. Instead of just applying for a job, write them a proposal on what you can offer, and you will see the difference."
Soludo advised those of them still doing their NYSC to make good use of the weekly community service, adding that it might be their rehearsal for selfless public service.
"Do something good for the benefit of society from which you do not expect to be paid. It is a pivotal year, your balcony moment, and you must make it count," he advised.
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