No fewer than 18, 000 candidates are jostling for 3, 000 slots in the 2016 admission screening of the Kaduna State University (KASU).
The university’s Head of Business Administration, Dr Helen Andow, made this known on Wednesday at a four-day training for 36 journalists and students on entrepreneurial journalism, organised by Voice of America (VOA) in Kaduna.
Andow explained that the figure represented only those who scored 180 points and above in the UTME and selected KASU as their first choice.
She said that the number of candidates who had applied for admission into the university was much higher.
She said that only those who met this year’s Joint Admission’s Matriculation Board (JAMB) cut-off point and criteria were invited for screening.
According to her, out of the 18,000 qualified candidates, the university will admit only 3,000 because of the university’s carrying capacity.
“There is however opportunity in the university’s remedial studies programme as well Entrepreneurship Research and Development Centre for those who would not be admitted, “she said.
On economic recession, Andow said that only creative entrepreneurship could get the nation out of recession, stressing that difficult times offer rich opportunity to creative entrepreneurs.
She said that entrepreneurship stimulate growth and had been recognised as necessary condition for economic development.
“It is the only way to reduce unemployment, inflation and sustain the economy.
“Recession is a problem, and in any problem lays thousands of opportunities, “she said.
Also, Mr Leo Keyen, Head of Hausa Service, Voice Of America (VOA) Washington DC, advised unemployed Nigerians to change their mindset from waiting for government jobs but to become job providers.
The VOA chief said that people need to change their mindset to how they will be creative and take advantage of the recession to do something profitable.
He also urged journalists to be in tune with the latest technology in the media, adding that some Nigerian journalists were using obsolete equipment.
“Train yourself; equip yourself with latest technology or else no media organisation will employ you, ‘’ he said.
Keyen added that the training became necessary to build a crop of entrepreneurial journalists, who would promote entrepreneurship development through their stories.
“We want to bridge the gap, because much attention is being given to health, education and other sectors with little attention to success stories and challenges of entrepreneurs,’’ he said. (NAN)