The Vice Chancellor Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University, COOU Professor Greg Nwakoby has charged graduating Students to have the mindset of generating employment instead of seeking for employment, when they must have left school.


The Vice Chancellor said this during the opening ceremony of a weeklong Employment Readiness program organized by Center for Entrepreneurial Studies COOU at Igbariam.


Education Correspondent Theophilus Ukoha  reports that  the program which attracted consultants, speakers, practical hands-on instructors from outside the University has its theme as “Mindset Change for graduating Students from job seekers to job creators and employers”.
Speaking while declaring the program open, the Vice Chancellor represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Professor Ellis Idemobi, challenged the participants to take maximum advantage of the program to understand what they will face after leaving school and possible opportunities to means of survival and how to make a living. 


The Branch Controller Central Bank of Nigeria Anambra State, Mrs. Bridget Okparaeke, while speaking on the role of Central Bank of Nigeria in changing the mindset of graduating students as job creators and employers, explained that CBN has business windows and intervention schemes available for individuals with entrepreneurial capacities.


She announced that over twenty two billion naira one digit interest loan, is ready for any meaningful business venture one wants to pursue. 


The Anambra State Sector Commander FRSC, Mr. Andrew Kumapayi and State Director National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Charles Nwoji, in their  paper presentations, emphasized on how best to engage in entrepreneurial innovations and become employers of labour, while Mr. Emeka Iloghalu, of Anambra State Fishery and Aquaculture Enterprises, maintained that there is a lot to be done in fish production and processing and advised the graduating students to key into the business. 


The Director Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, Professor Vincent Ezeabasili, in an interview, said the program is a mandatory employment readiness workshop for all final year students of all faculties to change their mindset from depending on white colar jobs and prepare them for the labour market.