Based on technicalities, I can say with all sense of
pride that I’m a Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) CERTIFIED
GRADUATE! I and most of my course mates dropped the undergraduate gown and
banished its pen to a life imprisonment. According to my very impactful
lecturer, engr. Umeh, we became colleagues with our teachers. A journey of 5years (6years for some of us that got in through pre-degree
programme) came to joyous end yesterday. We became graduates, unofficially
though, considering the fact that we are yet to conclude and defend our
projects.
The uniformity (at least to a large extent) of our outfit to the examination hall impressed the supervising lecturers, especially the course lecturer. We ushered him into the examination hall with a shouting and clapping ovation. He deserved the attention, to me; he was the most student friendly lecturer. With a palpable joy on his face, he prayed, wished us luck and said, “we are now colleagues”.
The examination started on a calm note, we were in high spirits. As usual, Engr. Umeh didn’t disappoint us with the questions; the usual phrases were present- “with the aid of a technological sketch” “make a graphical representation” “ depict vividly”. We got busy with our mathematical sets and calculators, but that only lasted about 40minutes. Then, predictably, the whisperings and mumblings started. The rule (our rule) was, do what you know at the start of the paper, then ask your friends for what you don’t know later. By then, the lecturers’ initial gra-gra must have subsided.
After the paper, we went haywire; shouting, singing, slapping and hugging one another. The moment gave some of us the license to get closer to the girls. They, knowing full well that the guys would want to catch in on the moment came prepared for the show. They were unusually free, the phrase ‘don’t touch me’ was absent all through the celebration. It was indeed a remarkable moment.
Later in the day, I asked myself; Now, that I’ve graduated, what next? According the CBN governor, “There is a serious problem when a country's economy is growing at seven per cent and yet could not provide jobs for its citizens. It is like a broken record; a country that produces oil yet imports refined fuel, a country that is in the tomato belt and yet imports tomatoes.” He said, “According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), unemployment rate in 2011 is 29.3 per cent. This means that unemployment has doubled since the last five years. Unemployment in Yobe is 60.6 per cent; Kano is 67 per cent, which explains why a trip to Kano introduces you to a sea of loafers, without work.
The economy is in a bad shape, ignore the lies Dr. Okonjo cooks for our consumption. Our economy is that of the streets, we live on the streets, so we know how the small scale enterprises are fairing under this ‘fastest’ growing economy of ours. My point is; lets have a plan ‘B’. let’s assume, we are not going to get jobs out there, and start planning on creating one for ourselves. It is not going to be a smooth ride I can assure you. But, with the end in sight, we will surely come up with a means. Congratulations to you all!
Israel Mark Ademola-Oguntuase
israelmarc86@gmail.com
The uniformity (at least to a large extent) of our outfit to the examination hall impressed the supervising lecturers, especially the course lecturer. We ushered him into the examination hall with a shouting and clapping ovation. He deserved the attention, to me; he was the most student friendly lecturer. With a palpable joy on his face, he prayed, wished us luck and said, “we are now colleagues”.
The examination started on a calm note, we were in high spirits. As usual, Engr. Umeh didn’t disappoint us with the questions; the usual phrases were present- “with the aid of a technological sketch” “make a graphical representation” “ depict vividly”. We got busy with our mathematical sets and calculators, but that only lasted about 40minutes. Then, predictably, the whisperings and mumblings started. The rule (our rule) was, do what you know at the start of the paper, then ask your friends for what you don’t know later. By then, the lecturers’ initial gra-gra must have subsided.
After the paper, we went haywire; shouting, singing, slapping and hugging one another. The moment gave some of us the license to get closer to the girls. They, knowing full well that the guys would want to catch in on the moment came prepared for the show. They were unusually free, the phrase ‘don’t touch me’ was absent all through the celebration. It was indeed a remarkable moment.
Later in the day, I asked myself; Now, that I’ve graduated, what next? According the CBN governor, “There is a serious problem when a country's economy is growing at seven per cent and yet could not provide jobs for its citizens. It is like a broken record; a country that produces oil yet imports refined fuel, a country that is in the tomato belt and yet imports tomatoes.” He said, “According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), unemployment rate in 2011 is 29.3 per cent. This means that unemployment has doubled since the last five years. Unemployment in Yobe is 60.6 per cent; Kano is 67 per cent, which explains why a trip to Kano introduces you to a sea of loafers, without work.
The economy is in a bad shape, ignore the lies Dr. Okonjo cooks for our consumption. Our economy is that of the streets, we live on the streets, so we know how the small scale enterprises are fairing under this ‘fastest’ growing economy of ours. My point is; lets have a plan ‘B’. let’s assume, we are not going to get jobs out there, and start planning on creating one for ourselves. It is not going to be a smooth ride I can assure you. But, with the end in sight, we will surely come up with a means. Congratulations to you all!
Israel Mark Ademola-Oguntuase
israelmarc86@gmail.com
Follow
me on Twitter @Ademola_israel
Note: This essay was
written and posted on my facebookpage on september 25, 2012
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