Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has offered direct employment to a first-class graduate of the Umaru Musa Yar?adua University, Sham?unu Ishaq, who sold sachet water to support his family.

According to a tweet on Friday by the governor?s Senior Special Assistant on Digital Media, Isah Miqdad, tweeting as #Miqdad_Jnr, the governor, having taken note of Ishaq?s situation, ordered his Special Assistant on Students Matters to verify the claim as shown in a viral video.

The tweet, quoting a statement issued on Thursday by the governor?s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed, noted that Ishaq?s claim was authenticated by the institution?s Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

The tweet read, ?Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has offered immediate employment to Sham?unu Ishaq, a First-Class graduate of the Umaru Musa Yar?adua University who was discovered selling pure water to support his family.

?Upon learning of Ishaq?s situation, Governor Radda promptly directed his Special Assistant on Students Matters, Hon. Muhammad Nagaske, to verify the authenticity of the viral video.

?Subsequent investigation confirmed that Sham?unu 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.

?Ishaq, who completed his National Youth Service Corps programme in Taraba State, had resorted to selling pure water to meet personal and family obligations.?

The statement read that the governor stressed the importance of rewarding academic excellence and emphasised his administration?s commitment to supporting ?exceptional talents.?

Radda said, ?Academic excellence should be rewarded, not relegated to the streets. This administration remains committed to identifying and supporting exceptional talents who can contribute to our state?s development.

?Our administration recognises that the future of Katsina State lies in harnessing the potential of our brightest minds.

?We will continue to create opportunities that enable our youths to utilise their skills and knowledge for the betterment of our society.?

The statement recalled that the governor, between May to October 2024, had offered employment to 18 graduates from institutions within the state.

?Just last month, on October 12, 2024, the governor demonstrated this commitment by offering automatic employment to nine outstanding graduates of Isah Kaita College of Education, Dutsin-Ma.

?Additionally, the governor offered another direct employment to nine First-Class graduates from the Umaru Musa Yar?adua University during the 9th-13th combined convocation held on May 26, 2024.

?The governor?s swift action not only addresses an immediate social concern but also sends a strong message about his administration?s dedication to youth empowerment and educational development. This gesture reinforces the government?s policy of identifying and supporting academic excellence while ensuring that no talented youth in Katsina State is left behind,? the statement concluded. (The PUNCH: Text, Excluding Headline)

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