Nasir Hassan-Wagini, a professor of plant resources at the Biology Department of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU), Katsina, now grows and sells vegetables to survive Nigeria’s deepening economic hardship.
At the weekly market in Batsari, Katsina State, where he sells his farm produce, Prof. Hassan-Wagini urged unemployed graduates to stop waiting for government jobs and start their own small businesses or farming ventures.
“My call to the NCE, Diploma and degree graduates is that they should feel free and start small businesses in their communities instead of staying idle,” he said.
He explained that farming has been part of his life since childhood and that he inherited the trade from his father. Although he has long been involved in growing and selling produce, people only began to notice after he became a professor.
“I’m a professor of plant resources at UMYU, I want youths and students to look at me, know my rank and position, and I still engage in small business of this nature,” he said.
“That may clear their minds because they feel shame and too big to go into such type of small businesses.”
He criticized the attitude of young people who refuse to engage in productive work while waiting for jobs that may never come.
“What matters is what you are contributing to the society. So, stop staying at home doing nothing when you did not get job, start with small businesses like this one,” he said.
Prof. Hassan-Wagini also warned against migration in search of jobs, saying youth should focus on opportunities around them.
“Our youths should stop going to other places looking for job, they should get into farming and other small businesses to become self-reliant.
Self-reliance is key to successful life. Try to merge your education with vocational skills for your own good,” he advised.
One of his fellow traders in the market, Malam Uzairu, said, “We respect him and he respect us. In fact, he is a nice person who knows how to relate with all categories of people.”
Prices of farm produce in the market have surged. A 100 kg bag of onions now costs N65,000 and above. A 100 kg bag of dried red pepper sells for N115,000 and above. Dried tomatoes of the same quantity are over N60,000, and a 50 kg bag of fresh hot pepper is around N100,000.
Farmers in the area are expecting fresh harvests of tomatoes, onions, and red pepper soon. Improved security has made farming and trading more active in the region.
NAN
