First Class applicant with First Class Degree

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos – On first contact, 31-year-old Paschal Ikpechukwu does not betray anything special about his person. A quiet disposition, soft spoken and a focused look are what stand him out from your normal youth in the neighbourhood.

Despite not being born with silver spoon in the mouth, his mannerism showed intelligence packaged in unusual politeness, even in the face of daunting life challenges.

When engaged in a conversation, it is easily confirmed that the mien is not a façade, but a brave soul who has weathered many storms in his young life. Remarkably, he has come tops in many life ventures; at least where merit is the criterion.

With the combination of brain and character, Ikpechukwu, 31, should have seen the world and if not, his immediate environment celebrating him, but the ills of the society and a fractured reward system would not allow such.

A native of Isikwuato in Abia State, he graduated with a First Class in Mathematics from the University of Jos. His exceptional academic performance has, however, taken him nowhere. He has remained largely unemployed or underemployed, a collateral damage from the failings of the Nigerian state.

Just a few decades ago in Nigeria, being a graduate was a thing of pride. Graduating with a first class was even more dignifying as it was a ticket to a good career and life because juicy job opportunities were available for such graduates to choose from.

Agents of many blue-chip companies ‘raided’ the universities and various National Youths Service Corps, NYSC camps across the country to grab First Class materials with the aim of using their intellect and youthfulness to improve the lot of their organizations.

That is the situation that Ikpechukwu (08037324792), a native of Isikwuato in Abia State who graduated in 2015 with a First Class Degree in Mathematics from the University of Jos is now faced with. Two years after graduation, Ikpechukwu is yet to find a stable means of income and has been dependent on online tutorials for his upkeep.

With his First Class certificate, Ikpechukwu has spent the last two years seeking gainful employment without success. He, is nevertheless, optimistic that there is light at the end of the tunnel and he encourages students not to relent in their quest to get to the top of their chosen field because “there is hope that we as a country will get back to the place where excellence is being rewarded.”

Speaking with Saturday Vanguard in Jos, he said, “I have BSC in Mathematics, I graduated with a First Class in 2015 from the University of Jos, and I have applied for a job in many places to no avail, but I have not lost hope.

“I have applied to the University of Jos, my alma mater, and some other institutions and companies. Most of these places are reluctant in taking me, expressing fears that I will not stay long with them. Right now, I am with Insight Africa where we run online tutorials on science subjects, and I offer my services in the area of Mathematics, hoping to get something more stable.”

On what he is doing to get further studies, he added, “I am also interested in getting further studies, and I have applied for several scholarships, some of which have not been well handled by the Nigerian government. For example, the NITDA (National Information Technology Development Agency) scholarship that was scrapped without appropriate communication to the applicants and the now inactive PRESID (Presidential) scholarship. The PRESID scholarship conceived by President Goodluck Jonathan was cancelled by the present administration in November 2015.

“I appeal to the government to enforce the retaining of First Class graduates in their various institutions of graduation; I also appeal that the Presidential scholarship that was meant for First Class graduates be reactivated and let something be done to encourage excellence and hard work in the educational system.”

The applicant also appealed that jobs be created for youths so that they can be engaged and their minds are taken off crimes.

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