Cablegate: Nigeria: Young Achievers Bridge Gap Between

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RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHOS #0765 3370601
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 030601Z DEC 07
FM AMCONSUL LAGOS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9630
INFO RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 9376
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RHMCSUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC

UNCLAS LAGOS 000765

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STATE FOR AF/W
TREASURY FOR DPETERS, RHALL, RABDULRAZAK
ENERGY FOR PERSON, GAY
COMMERCE FOR KBURRESS
STATE PASS USTR FOR LISER, AGAMA
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR KSAMPLE
STATE PASS OPIC FOR ZHAN, MSTUCKART, JEDWARDS
STATE PASS TDA FOR EEBONG, DSHUSTER
STATE PASS EXIM FOR JRICHTER
STATE PASS USAID FOR NFREEMAN, GBERTOLIN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON SOCI NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: YOUNG ACHIEVERS BRIDGE GAP BETWEEN
COLLEGE AND WORK WORLD

1. (U) Summary: President Abbaly Johnson and other members
of the Young Achievers Network told EconCouns Nigeria's
system of higher education fails completely to prepare
students for jobs. Young Achievers bridge the gap by
engaging youth in conferences, volunteer activities and other
interventions. End Summary.

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Campus Achievers Network Helps Ready Youths for Jobs
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2. (U) Members of the Young Achievers Network, a group
founded by Abbally Johnson to help college students met with
EconCouns November 13 in Lagos. The group holds leadership
conferences, provides volunteer opportunities, and is active
on 30 campuses across Nigeria. Johnson said his vision is to
help youth learn from the example provided by other
like-minded students, and has set up an extensive network to
provide positive, non-corrupt role models and training.

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DISCONNECT BETWEEN EDUCATION AND THE WORK WORLD
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3. (U) The participants described the disconnect between the
education system from which most of them had recently
graduated and the world of work. They described students who
majored in computer programming but who had no computers to
practice on, and friends and family members who, when lucky
enough to find employment, required training for up to six
months to one year in order to do their jobs. Employers who
failed to build in a significant training program for new
hires would have employees unable to do the job, they said.

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DELTA YOUTH HAVE LOST HOPE
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4. (SBU) One participant from the Niger Delta explained that
youth in the Delta were particularly disadvantaged. Their
traditional values have been completely corrupted. They see
kidnapping as a source of future income, and drop out of
school because they don't see the need for or benefit of
education. Niger Delta society has collapsed, he said. Even
more strongly indicative of this collapse is the fact that
the youth no longer listen to traditional elders, something
that had been unthinkable until recently, he said.

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POLITICAL OPTIMISM FOR YAR'ADUA'S REGIME
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5. (SBU) When asked their opinion of President Yar,Adua, the
participants replied that they, like the rest of the country,
are waiting to see what the President will do. He was
unknown before his election as President, and society must
give him the opportunity to prove himself. When EconCouns
asked what they thought of President Yar,Adua,s budget
submission, in particular his emphasis on education, the
Young Achievers expressed hope that the funds would improve
the situation.

6. (U) This cable has been coordinated with Embassy Abuja.
HUTCHINSON

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