Opinion

Should FG Pay Unemployed Graduates Stipends?

Published

13 years ago

March 25, 2013

On a yearly basis, tertiary institutions in Nigeria churn out thousands of graduates without corresponding job opportunities. This situation has led to high rate of unemployed graduates in the country. As a palliative measure, many people are canvassing payment of stipends to unemployed graduates. Our Correspondent, Calista Ezeaku and photographer, Dele Obinna went to town to seek people’s opinions on this and they came back with these reactions.

Mr Chukwuma Ogaligbe – Public Servant

Federal Government should empower Nigerian youths financially to start their own businesses. That is the only way to cut down the rate of crime and insecurity in the country. It is equally good that government pays the unemployed youths monthly stipends. But whether they are paying them stipends or giving them money to start businesses, they should make sure that they scrutinise the recipients very well to ensure that only people of good character benefit. Anybody that has bad character should not be considered. They can’t give money to a vagabond. or somebody who does not want to improve his life.

Mr Solomon Parakom – Media Practitioner

The Federal Government should not pay unemployed graduates stipends. Agreed there is high level of unemployment in the country, but if you pay somebody who is not working, you are encouraging laziness. The second reason is that government both at federal, State and local government levels cannot provide job for everybody. So, if you pay people who are not working, you are encouraging laziness. If they are graduates and they do not have job, they can create jobs for themselves, they can go into other areas. It is not everybody that will be engaged in the white collar job. The level of crime in the country cannot go down by just paying stipends to unemployed youths.

The Federal Government does not have the statistics of unemployed persons in this country. So how many persons will you pay and how many will you leave out? Even those that you will be paying will still come back to say “you are yet to settle us.” So that kind of fraudulent practice can come in because there is no statistics.

So, the best thing to do is let government at all levels create jobs for those who want to work in the civil service, in the industries. And those who may not be readily accommodated in paid employment should be encouraged to go into other ventures to make a living.

Miss Chinenye Jones – Applicant

I think it is necessary for the Federal Government to start paying unemployed graduates stipends so as to support them. When you get out of school and you can’t get a job, it is usually difficult to get financial support from anywhere. Your parents or guardian may tell you that they have to focus on your younger ones. So, government should be able to help us out by paying us some amount of money at the end of every month. Even if it is N5,000.00, it will go a long way to help. That amount though small, will help an unemployed graduate carry on until he/she gets a job. This will also reduce crime rate and insecurity in the country because if somebody is expecting some money at the end of the month, would the person have any reason to go stealing or do anything bad?

Hon Princewill Enyinda – Politician/Agriculturalist

Yes, I think it is a good idea. If they can pay allowances to repentant militants whom everybody knows committed atrocities against the law of the land, even though they are also saying they were affected one way or the other, they were not supposed to take the law into their hands. But in the end, amnesty was granted to them and monies, salaries from the hard-earned tax payers’ money are paid to these guys, how about the unemployed graduates? So, it means people should carry arms and at the end, they will be granted amnesty and placed on monthly salaries.

So they (government) should make their budget, bearing in mind the teaming unemployed youths and know how to carry them along. That is the only way the Federal Government can reduce crime and avoid crisis in the future. As we talk about unemployed graduates, we should also remember the non-graduates who are jobless. They should be encouraged to go into skills acquisition. The NDE has been there, the School-to-Land Programme has been for young school leavers.

They should resuscitate all these programmes. If they are given skills and empowered to start their own businesses, they will not require any stipends. They should get data of vulcanisers, mechanics, electricians, and others, think of how to ameliorate the suffering of these youths, so that all these restiveness, all this noise, kidnapping, stealing, armed robbery and all sorts of social vices will be reduced.

Many youths are ready to work, government should be able to get these people, confine them to a training programme, get them into farming programmes, they will excel. Government should revive the School-to-Land programmes, these will absorb thousands of youths. We have all the farms – Agbeta farm, and many others, they are all there in not less than 500 hectres of land lying waste. Why should they lie waste?

Miss Blessing Amadi – Civil Servant

Yes, it is a very good idea, at least some foreign countries are doing so. No matter how small it is, it will be helpful to the unemployed graduates. If they can be paid not less than N10,000.00 every month, pending when they get employment, it will really help them. Nigeria is a rich country and should be able to cater for unemployed ones. If the stipends are paid, it will surely help in reducing stealing and other social vices in the society. And I’m sure some of the recipients will be able to save a little amount every month and use it to start one business or the other.

Mr Ernest Orlu – Transporter

I’m not in support of the opinion that government should pay unemployed graduates stipends. We have many things they can do. Many of us who are managing the motor parks and driving taxes are all graduates. My chairman here is a second degree holder in education, yet he is driving taxi. There are things unemployed graduates can do to keep themselves busy. If government begins to pay stipends to unemployed graduates, it will make them lazy and they will not have the zeal to do something meaningful with their energy. Some developed countries are paying graduates stipends because their countries are already developed. We are yet to be developed. So we should continue to look for how to get ourselves developed by getting one thing or the other to do.

I am not in support of the payment of any stipend. Even the allowances paid ex-Niger Delta militants was a very big mistake that government made. I don’t think they will continue with it forever. Right now, they are looking for a way to get out of it. Now, Boko Haram members are demanding for amnesty. Will government continue to pay criminals for committing crime? Will government grant Boko Haram amnesty for wanting to Islamise the entire country?

So, instead of all these amnesty and stipends, government should encourage more companies and industries to come into the country. During the fuel subsidy strike last year, President Goodluck Jonathan told us that three refineries will be built. Up till now, we have not seen them. If those three refineries are built, they will employ hundreds of unemployed graduates. The same goes for other companies that will spring up as a result of those refineries. To me, that is the only way unemployment in the country can be reduced. This will in turn reduce crime and insecurity in the country.

Opinion

Beyond Physical Intimacy In Relationship

Published

1 month ago

June 17, 2026

The Tide

Quote:”Love is not sustained by sharing the same bed or displaying affection in public; it is preserved by the daily investment of trust, understanding, empathy, and meaningful conversations. Two people can be physically close yet emotionally distant, because lasting relationships are built not merely on intimacy, but on the consistent nurturing of hearts that remain genuinely connected.”

In an age where relationships are often measured by appearances, social media posts, and outward displays of affection, many couples are discovering a painful truth: physical closeness does not always translate into emotional connection. Two people can share the same bed, hold hands in public, and even maintain a seemingly happy home, yet remain strangers to each other’s deepest thoughts, fears, dreams, and struggles. This reality is captured in the thought-provoking message that emotional intimacy goes far beyond physical intimacy. While physical attraction may ignite a relationship, emotional connection is what sustains it. When emotional bonds weaken, relationships begin to suffer quietly, often long before any visible signs of trouble emerge.

One of the greatest misconceptions about love is the belief that affection alone is enough to keep a relationship healthy. In reality, genuine love requires much more than romantic gestures and physical presence. It requires understanding, communication, trust, empathy, and the willingness to be vulnerable with one another. Without these elements, couples may coexist rather than truly connect. Many relationships today are experiencing a silent crisis. Couples are spending more time together physically but less time engaging meaningfully. Busy schedules, work pressures, financial challenges, digital distractions, and personal ambitions have reduced many conversations to routine exchanges about bills, children, responsibilities, and daily survival. The deeper conversations that nurture emotional intimacy are gradually disappearing.

As a result, many partners feel unseen, unheard, and misunderstood. They may be present in the relationship physically, but emotionally they feel isolated. This emotional distance often creates frustration, resentment, and loneliness. Ironically, a person can feel more alone in a relationship lacking emotional connection than when they are physically alone. The danger of emotional disconnection is that it rarely announces itself loudly. Unlike dramatic conflicts or public scandals, it develops gradually. It starts when couples stop sharing their feelings openly. It grows when assumptions replace communication. It deepens when one partner feels consistently ignored, dismissed, or taken for granted. Over time, the relationship loses its warmth and vitality.This explains why some marriages and relationships that appear perfect from the outside eventually collapse unexpectedly.

Observers are often shocked because they only saw the physical togetherness, not the emotional distance that had been growing for years beneath the surface. Relationships do not usually break down overnight; they deteriorate through the accumulation of unresolved emotional gaps. Building emotional intimacy, therefore, requires deliberate effort. It is not a one-time achievement but a daily commitment. Emotional connection is built through consistent acts of attention, kindness, and understanding. It develops when partners genuinely listen to each other without judgment. It grows when people feel safe enough to express their fears, disappointments, and aspirations without fear of criticism or rejection. Trust plays a crucial role in this process. Emotional intimacy flourishes in an environment where honesty is valued and confidentiality is respected. When trust is broken, emotional walls quickly rise.

Rebuilding those walls requires patience, sincerity, and a willingness to heal together. Another important ingredient is empathy. Every individual wants to feel understood. Sometimes partners do not necessarily need solutions to their problems; they simply need someone who listens and acknowledges their feelings. A relationship becomes stronger when both individuals strive to understand each other’s perspectives rather than merely defend their own positions. Quality time is equally important. In a world dominated by smartphones and endless digital distractions, couples must intentionally create moments of genuine interaction. Simple activities such as sharing a meal, taking a walk, discussing personal goals, or praying together can strengthen emotional bonds significantly.

These moments communicate an important message: “You matter to me.” Respect also forms the foundation of emotional closeness. Partners who consistently speak respectfully to each other, even during disagreements, create a healthier environment for intimacy to thrive. Emotional connection cannot flourish where there is constant criticism, ridicule, or contempt. Perhaps the most important lesson is that emotional intimacy is not built by grand gestures alone. It is cultivated through small, consistent actions repeated over time. A thoughtful conversation, a sincere apology, a word of encouragement, or a genuine expression of appreciation can have a profound impact on the health of a relationship. Ultimately, the strength of any relationship lies not merely in physical proximity but in emotional accessibility. The question is not whether two people occupy the same space, but whether they truly know and understand each other.

Lasting love is sustained when hearts remain connected even amid life’s challenges. As society continues to grapple with increasing relationship difficulties, couples must remember that emotional intimacy is not optional; it is essential. Physical attraction may bring people together, but emotional connection keeps them together. It is built daily through communication, trust, empathy, respect, and intentional effort. When emotional intimacy is nurtured, relationships become more resilient, fulfilling, and meaningful. And when two hearts remain genuinely connected, love does not merely survive—it flourishes

By: Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi

Opinion

Yahoo Culture And Nigeria’s Moral Fabric

Published

1 month ago

June 17, 2026

The Tide

Quote “A society that celebrates wealth without questioning its source gradually breeds a generation that despises hard work, glorifies fraud, and ultimately destroys itself from within.”

Nigeria’s battle against insecurity is not limited to terrorism. Another destructive force—popularly known as “Yahoo”—has steadily eaten into the nation’s moral and social fabric. Internet fraud, which has become synonymous with “Yahoo” in local parlance, poses a grave threat to Nigeria’s image, economy, and future. The activities of internet fraudsters have tarnished the country’s reputation globally. As a result, many law-abiding Nigerians abroad or seeking legitimate opportunities overseas often face suspicion and discrimination because of the notoriety created by these criminal elements. Originally, Yahoo was merely the name of an internet search engine created in 1994 by Stanford graduates Jerry Yang and David Filo. In Nigeria, however, the term has evolved into a culture driven by greed and materialism. It has become a disturbing subculture with its own language and values.

Expressions such as “mugu fall, guy man chop” celebrate the exploitation of unsuspecting victims, portraying fraud as intelligence and deceit as success. Yahoo boys are notorious for flaunting their ill-gotten wealth. They parade expensive cars, spend lavishly, and often display arrogance towards elders and society. Their extravagant lifestyle has even been blamed for rising rents and increased cost of living in cities such as Port Harcourt. Following crackdowns in Delta and Edo states, there have been concerns over the growing presence of these elements in Rivers State. What is particularly disturbing is that many of these young men and women, some as young as teenagers, have no legitimate source of income yet live in luxury. Their actions have ruined businesses, impoverished victims, and in some cases pushed people into depression, heart attacks, and suicide.

Yet, they continue to operate openly with frightening confidence. The prevalence of Yahoo culture reflects the deep moral decay in society. Sadly, some families not only tolerate the illicit activities of their children but celebrate and pray for their success. Anyone who condemns the practice often becomes the target of abuse and ridicule. A Port Harcourt-based pastor once experienced fierce backlash from Yahoo sympathisers after speaking against the menace. Nigeria’s permissive environment has unintentionally allowed the practice to flourish. Weak institutions, compromised law enforcement, and families unwilling to question the source of sudden wealth among unemployed youths have all contributed to the problem. The virtues of patience, diligence, and integrity are steadily being replaced by greed and a desperate desire for quick riches.

Perhaps one of the greatest casualties of Yahoo culture is education. The value of years of hard work and academic excellence has been diminished. Many young people now dismiss formal education as a scam, while apprenticeship and vocational training are increasingly looked down upon. The obsession with easy money has encouraged school dropout rates and undermined the culture of honest enterprise. An even more disturbing dimension is the emergence of what many describe as “Yahoo Phase II”—a phenomenon associated with ritual practices and occult beliefs. Although stories surrounding these practices are often difficult to verify, reports of ritual killings, organ harvesting, and other horrific crimes have heightened public fears. Young people seeking wealth at all costs are said to subject themselves to bizarre and inhumane instructions from self-styled spiritualists, resulting in unimaginable tragedies.

Regardless of the myths and realities surrounding these claims, one fact remains undeniable: the pursuit of wealth without values has devastating consequences. Society is increasingly witnessing cases of substance abuse, mental instability, and mysterious deaths among youths whose lives are built on criminality and desperation. Nigeria cannot afford to remain indifferent while a generation is consumed by greed and moral bankruptcy. Combating Yahoo culture requires more than arrests and prosecutions. Families must instill values of honesty and hard work. Religious leaders, educators, and community leaders must consistently promote integrity. Government institutions must strengthen the rule of law and ensure that crime does not pay. Above all, society must stop celebrating wealth without questioning its source. No nation can attain sustainable development when fraud is admired, hard work is ridiculed, and criminality is rewarded.

The future of Nigeria depends on raising a generation that values character above riches and integrity above material possessions. If this dangerous culture is left unchecked, the consequences will be severe. But if the nation collectively chooses the path of morality, accountability, and industry, there remains hope that the tide can be reversed and the country’s dignity restored.

By; Confidence Adoo

Opinion

Good Health Through Socrates’ Prescription

Published

1 month ago

June 8, 2026

The Tide

Quote: “In an age of advanced medicine and endless health information, the greatest prescription may still be the oldest one: know yourself. True health begins when we understand our bodies, emotions, habits and choices.”

The 21st century has ushered in extraordinary progress in science, technology and medicine. Diseases that once claimed millions of lives can now be prevented or treated. Information is available instantly, while fitness applications, health trackers and modern healthcare facilities have become part of everyday life. Yet, despite these advances, many people continue to struggle with physical illnesses, emotional stress, anxiety, depression and lifestyle-related diseases. This contradiction raises an important question: Why are people becoming increasingly unhealthy in an age of remarkable medical advancement? Part of the answer may lie in the timeless wisdom associated with the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates: “Know thyself.” Though spoken more than two thousand years ago, these words remain profoundly relevant today. They remind us that genuine wellbeing begins with self-understanding.

Knowing oneself goes beyond knowing one’s name, occupation or social status. It involves understanding one’s body, emotions, habits, strengths, weaknesses and aspirations. It means recognizing how daily choices affect physical, mental and emotional health. In many respects, self-knowledge forms the foundation of healthy living. One of the greatest health challenges today is the tendency to ignore warning signs until serious problems emerge. Many people neglect symptoms such as persistent fatigue, poor sleep, chronic stress, unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity. Because they are disconnected from their bodies, they fail to recognize that their health is gradually deteriorating. A person who truly knows himself pays attention to these signals. Such an individual understands which foods nourish the body and which habits undermine health. They recognize when rest is necessary,

when stress levels become dangerous and when professional medical attention should be sought. Self-awareness encourages preventive action long before illness develops. The same principle applies to mental and emotional health. Modern life is filled with pressures. Social media often encourages unhealthy comparisons, while economic challenges, family responsibilities and workplace demands create enormous psychological burdens. Many people suffer silently because they have not learned to understand or manage their emotions. Knowing oneself means recognizing emotional triggers, vulnerabilities and sources of stress. It involves identifying feelings of anxiety, sadness, anger or frustration before they become overwhelming. Self-aware individuals are more likely to seek support, adopt healthy coping mechanisms and maintain emotional balance.

Self-knowledge also promotes discipline. Many of today’s health problems are linked to lifestyle choices. Excessive consumption of processed foods, alcohol abuse, smoking, substance misuse, physical inactivity and poor sleeping habits contribute significantly to disease burdens around the world. Most people are aware of these risks. The challenge is often not a lack of information but a lack of self-understanding. Individuals who understand their motivations, weaknesses and tendencies are better equipped to resist harmful habits and develop healthier routines. In this way, self-knowledge becomes a powerful tool for self-control. Socrates also taught that “the unexamined life is not worth living.” While philosophical in origin, this statement has practical implications for health. Examining one’s life encourages honest reflection. Are we eating wisely? Are we exercising enough?

Are we sleeping adequately? Are we managing stress effectively? Are we maintaining healthy relationships? These are not merely philosophical questions. They are essential components of a healthy lifestyle. Honest answers can reveal habits that require improvement and inspire positive change. Ironically, while technology has made health information more accessible, it has also made self-understanding more difficult. Many people spend hours following social media trends and public personalities while paying little attention to their own health. They know more about celebrities than they know about their blood pressure, sleep quality or emotional wellbeing. A healthier society will require more than modern hospitals and advanced medications. It will require citizens who actively seek to understand themselves. Preventive healthcare begins with personal awareness.

Parents, educators, religious leaders, healthcare professionals and policymakers all have important roles to play in promoting self-awareness. Young people should be taught not only academic subjects but also emotional intelligence, self-reflection, healthy lifestyle habits and personal responsibility. Ultimately, Socrates’ ancient wisdom remains as relevant today as it was centuries ago. A person who understands himself is more likely to make healthy decisions, maintain emotional stability, build resilience and seek help when necessary. The journey to good health does not begin in a hospital, pharmacy or gymnasium. It begins within. As the world continues to confront complex health challenges, perhaps the most powerful prescription requires no expensive technology or medication. It is the enduring wisdom that has stood the test of time: know yourself. In understanding ourselves, we discover one of the surest paths to healthier, happier and more meaningful lives.

By: Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi