Unemployment is perhaps one of the greatest social challenges confronting the Nigerian state. It is so strategically important to the well-being of the country that the consequences associated to the lack of it, is better seen than imagine.
Today, the ripple effect of unemployment on the Nigerian society leaves a bitter taste in the mouth and raises the fundamental question on how best to address the phenomena which has since and largely snowball into current insecurity threatening the corporate existence of the country.
Despite efforts by the government, corporate organisations and well meaning individuals to provide employment opportunities, the ever growing army of unemployed youths keeps increasing in geometric progression, leaving the collective efforts to be a mere drop in the ocean.
One of such individual that has literally given his all in securing employment opportunities to the youths particularly those from his state of origin is Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi. His unwavering commitment towards securing jobs placement for the youths became manifest when he assume the saddle as the Vice Chancellor University of Maiduguri.
During his stewardship as the helmsman at the Institution, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi succeeded in securing over 30 job placements for youths mainly of Gombe State origin at the University irrespective of their ethno religious inclination.
Today, the bulk of those employed by Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi at the University have progressed reaching to the management level. Like mentor, like mentee these sets of individuals are taking after the footsteps of Professor Njodi helping the younger ones with employment as opportunities unfold.
Apart from providing job opportunities for the youths particularly those from his state of origin and beyond, Prof Njodi equally carve a nitch for himself by offering admission to students from Gombe State seeking to study competitive courses like Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, Nursing Science, Engineering, Mass Communication, among others.
Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi also leverage on his position as Vice Chancellor University of Maiduguri to secure admission for students of Gombe State origin seeking admission in other Universities across the country.
Many of these students who gained admission through the support of Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi at the University of Maiduguri and elsewhere have since completed their course of studies and gainfully employed contributing to the growth and development of the state and the country.
Interestingly, even after leaving office as Vice Chancellor UNIMAID and currently occupying the office of the Secretary to the Gombe State Government, Professor Njodi is still remain instrumental in securing admissions to a lot of students at the Gombe State University, Federal University of Kashere, Nigerian Army University Kashere, College of Nursing Gombe among others.
Only recently, the Professor of Physical Health turn politician secured employment for ten (10) Gombe State indigene under the Federal Civil Service. A breakdown shows three (3) are with the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, three (3) with the National Youth Service Corps NYSC, two (2) with the Federal University Wukari in Taraba State and two (2) with the Federal Polytechnic Kaltungo.
Similarly, at the State level Professor Njodi influenced the employment of fifteen (15) Graduates as Teachers with the state Ggovernment, Two (2) with the Gombe State University GSU, another two (2) with the Gombe State Board of Internal Revenue Service and one (1) with GoHealth among some others.
Concerned with youth restiveness due to unemployment, Professor Njodi appears unrelenting in his quest to scout for more opportunities for the Younger ones.
While his commitment to youths empowerment remains rock solid, his steadfastness towards the elderly is equally legendary. To this end, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi introduce an empowerment program for women through skill acquisition for self reliant.
So far over fifty (50) women in his home local government area of Kaltungo have been trained in various skills and starter parks were given to them to grow their businesses and improve their livelihood, a gesture that has since received commendation from many within and outside Gombe State.
In all fairness Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi action has proven that he is not only a lover of the youths but a beacon of hope and encouragement to the them as well. In a fast changing world where many youths are physically, emotionally and psychologically challenged, the like of Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi readily come to mind as a reliable and dependable mentor and a role model.
Joshua Danmalam, writes from Gombe. He is the Information Officer SGS’ office.
