Nigeria’s most celebrated centre for cerebral erudition, The University of Ibadan, last week, ushered in new candidates into its community of graduates at different levels. During the flamboyant and heart-teasing occasion, guests faithful to different persuasions were on campus to witness how the University would initiate its candidates into this indispensable academic cult. In the course of the events, students received certificates definitive of their academic concerns while in the University. The alumni inductees spanned through Diploma, First Degrees, Master’s Degrees, and PhD.
It is a truism that convocation ceremonies mean different things to different people, both the academic and the other; to some, it is a time to examine past events to be able to plan reasonably for the future to come. Many interpret the occasion as a time to remember that learning simply must continue till death, or perhaps even in death. Others define it simply as just a formal event that needs to be attended. Others construe it as a time to celebrate intelligence and achievements. To some, it is just a criterion for the satisfaction of happiness. The perspective assumed by many is that the spirit of convocation embraces all of the adumbrated possibilities.
Lucky are the entrepreneurial students who already have things rolling for them ever before graduating. Lucky are the children of the rich who already have jobs waiting for them – graduating thus becomes an irrational means to an end; to make taking up the waiting job official.
What then is the lot of the other thousands going into the labour market with “no experiences” and “no connections” in the right places? In a society where a Master’s degree is no longer serious business, just as a Bachelor’s degree is almost worthless… the only employment most will ever get is that they would find themselves in during their Youth corp.
The joy of graduating, of convocation, then turns out to be the harsh reality of unemployment. The frustration leads many into taking up whatever job they could lay hands on. Many also will appeal to their sense of creativity, of innovation. While many also, will be left with nothing to do, with a First Class Degree or…a Pass.
Maybe something or a body is to blame for this leaves one wondering about what the problem is exactly before attempting to procure a solution.
To all Graduants, “enjoy” the rest of your lives.
