‘Give instant employment to 1st class graduates’, Reps ask FG

The House of Representatives has urged ministries, departments and agencies to give automatic employment to Nigerians who graduate with first-class from Nigerian institutions.

The resolution was reached on Wednesday following the adoption of a motion moved by Chinedu Martins.

In the motion, Martins said there are hundreds of 1st class students roaming the street without employment.

He noted that 1st class students achieve the feat through “superlative effort, resilient hard work, determination, and irrepressible stress.”

He stressed that there is a link between the underdevelopment of Nigeria and the practice of shunning 1st class graduates.

“Nigeria’s inability to leave the status of a “developing nation”, may not be unconnected with the insensitivity and lack of political will of the ruling class and policymakers to introduce a reward system in a way that the best brains will automatically occupy important positions according to their area of competence,” Martins stated.

The motion was opposed by Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase on the ground that 1st class graduates should be encouraged to take big offers around the world.

He stated that several agencies have basic minimum criteria they use in determining employment to major MDAs.

The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, while responding to the comments by his Deputy, said the several MDAs are employing people with 3rd class, while Nigerians with 1st class are roaming the streets.

Following a long debate, the House adopted the prayers of the motion.