Sham’unu Ishaq, a first-class graduate of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, has been offered immediate employment by Governor Dikko Umar Radda of the state after a video of him selling sachet water to support his family went viral.
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ibrahim Kaula, confirmed the development in a statement on Friday, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
He stated, “Subsequent investigation confirmed that Ishaq indeed graduated with First Class honours in B.Sc (Ed.) Education/Biology during the 2021/2022 academic session, as verified by the University’s Deputy Vice Chancellor.”
Kaula added, “Ishaq, who completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in Taraba State, had resorted to selling pure water to meet personal and family obligations. Academic excellence should be rewarded, not relegated to the streets.”
The statement highlighted Governor Radda’s commitment to recognising academic excellence. On October 12, 2024, he offered automatic employment to nine outstanding graduates from Isah Kaita College of Education, Dutsinma.
Similarly, nine first-class graduates from Umaru Musa Yar’adua University received direct employment during the university’s combined convocation on May 26, 2024.
“Our administration recognises that the future of Katsina State lies in harnessing the potential of our brightest minds,” the statement concluded.
SaharaReporters reported on Thursday that Ishaq who identified himself as a first-class graduate had resorted to selling sachet water on the streets to survive.
In a video clip seen by SaharaReporters, Ishaq said despite graduating with top honours on July 5, 2023, he had been unable to find employment, forcing him into the low-paying work of street hawking.
A notification of results posted by Ishaq in the video shows he graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Education) Biology.
“I graduated and had no job and I started hawking pure water sachets for survival,” Ishaq explained in a video clip, describing the challenging reality of life in Katsina.
“Here in Katsina, there is nowhere to even do something to improve my life.”
Ishaq shared how the daily income from selling sachet water barely covered his basic needs.
“The selling of the sachet water business is not even enough. Sometimes the only thing I do with the money is to eat from it; I can’t save anything,” he said.
His appeal to Katsina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda was straightforward.
“As he can see, I graduated from university with no job and poverty is even trying to kill me,” Ishaq said, noting the responsibilities he faced with no sustainable income.
With his small earnings, Ishaq said he struggled to meet his family’s needs and other obligations.
“This pure water hawking is the only business I relied on for survival for now,” he explained.
Ishaq also called on Nigerians from across the nation for assistance.
“I need help, not necessarily from the state government alone but from all Nigerians, be it south, east, north or west, I just need help,” he said.
Emphasising his willingness to work, he added, “I can do any kind of job.”
He added, “I’m a first-class graduate from Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina State.
“I graduated and had no job and I started hawking ‘pure water sachets’ for survival.
“The selling of sachet water is not even enough. Sometimes the only thing I do with the money is to eat from it, I can’t save anything.
“My message to the Katsina state governor, Dikko Umar Radda is to help me.”
