President Muhammad Buhari reiterated Federal Government undaunted efforts to tackle youth unemployment and underemployment through the matrix of initiatives.
Buhari made this known at the 13th convocation ceremonies of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka on Friday.
Buhari, represented by the Minister of State Education, Tony Anwuka, said the initiatives included N-Power, Bank of Industry’s Youth Entrepreneurship Support (YES), the CBN and Bank of Agriculture Support Scheme.
“As part of the continuing efforts to stave off, the number of initiatives to boost the employability of graduands of our tertiary institutions, either as an employer or in self-employment.
“These initiatives include, but not limited to, the energising education programmes through the rural electricity agency, the intent of which is, to provide captive power plants for selected tertiary institutions
“Thus, providing them with the needed uninterrupted power supply and the skill G projects by TETFUND which provides computers, laboratory equipment and other learning resources to tertiary institutions,” he said.
The President restated also the conviction of the Federal Government that education was the bedrock of socio-economic development of society.
Consequently, within the limits of available resources thus the government will continue to give primary place to education.
Vice-Chancellor of the university, Joseph Ahaneku, commended the Federal Government for the immense support and encouragement to his administration, ending in the first week of June.
He commended also the Chancellor, Jacob Gyang, the pro-Chancellor, Azeez Bello, the governing council, stakeholders of university, staff, students, benefactors and others who contributed in various ways to the success of his administration.
Ahaneku said 6,500 were conferred with first degrees, 182 postgraduate diplomas, 763 masters’ degrees and 269 PhD.
The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, Emeka Offor and Babagana Kingibe were conferred with honorary degrees for their positive impact in the society.
