CBN governor advises graduates on job creation

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, has urged recent graduates of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka to create jobs in order to overcome the current economic challenges.

In a statement by Mr. Isaac Okoroafor, the Acting Director, CBN Corporate Communications, Emefiele gave the advice while delivering the institution’s 47th Convocation Lecture, entitled: “A mindset for Succeeding in Today’s Nigeria”.

He described the rising rate of unemployment as the greatest challenge facing the country, warning that failure to empower the youth could give Nigeria problems, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

He emphasised the need for young Nigerian graduates to change their mindset about the labour market, stressing that in spite of the challenges, Nigeria remained a land of limitless opportunities.

Emefiele, an alumnus of the university, urged the graduates to strive to be job creators and entrepreneurs rather than being job seekers.

He said the CBN, as part of its efforts to address unemployment and promote entrepreneurship; the bank had designed and formulated policies and programmes aimed at making meaningful impact in the real sector.

The CBN chief encouraged the graduates and youths with not more than five years post-service experience to take advantage of the CBN Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme.

According to him, the programme is run in collaboration with other banks and the National Youth Service Corps.

He also urged the graduates to take cognisance of the opportunities in their respective environments to motivate themselves by creating innovative ideas and turning their ideas into profitable ventures.

Earlier in is his address, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, described the convocation lecture as one of the prestigious public lectures hosted by the university.

He said the privilege of delivering the lecture was usually reserved for men and women, whose achievements would motivate and inspire graduates and the entire university community for greater achievements.

Ozumba used the occasion to call for adequate funding of some ongoing projects in the institution.

He said that the projects would not only boost entrepreneurship and innovation, but also help to curb youth restiveness in the country.