Unilorin VC tasks young entrepreneurs on local content

The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin (Unilorin), Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem has enjoined young entrepreneurs to boost the economy by using local content in their productive endeavours.

Abdulkareem made the call yesterday while declaring open the maiden edition of products exhibition by the institution’s Technical and Entrepreneurship Centre (TEC).

He said that the Centre was established in 2008 to provide students with entrepreneurship education as required by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Abdulkareem said that the university’s entrepreneurship programme was expected to increase the employability of its graduates.

“We will continue to support TEC in achieving this mandate by doing all that is required to improve the operations of the centre.

“I commend the TEC management for effectively using the University and the outside community’s synergy in training students so that the centre achieves its objectives.’’

Abdulkareem disclosed that the Tertiary Education TrustFund (TETFund) had approved the procurement of some equipment that would make it possible for students to learn new skills, service and training at TEC.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Sidikat Ijaiya, encouraged the students to take full advantage of the programme.

The Acting Director, Unilorin TEC, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, said the high level of unemployment and unemployability among Nigerian university graduates was worrisome.

Abdul said it was therefore imperative that graduates set up their own businesses.

“Exposing students to entrepreneurship training will give them more opportunities to exhibit their innate creativity, and give them higher selfesteem and a sense of control over their lives,’’ Abdul said. (NAN)