I was first to carry a placard but Osinbajo met my imitator, says jobless PhD student
Ibubeleye McDonald — the 26-year-old mother of two who broke the Internet when she was photographed in Port Harcourt holding a placard that read ‘desperate times — is unhappy that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo overlooked her but met the lady who copied her action.
Douglas Ezeugo Lilian built on McDonald’s ingenious one-man job protest by holding up a placard of her own to the cameras, and she ended up securing an appointment with the vice-president.
But an unhappy McDonald told TheCable: “My question still remains, why is the federal government paying attention to the second person that went on the streets?
“A couple of days after I went on the street, another lady in Lekki Phase 1 took to the streets and her pictures were put on the Internet.
“If you read all the news online, anywhere her name was mentioned, I was always referenced as the person who started it. So why would she be called and I would not? People keep telling me it is because she is Yoruba and I am from Rivers.”
Douglas reproducing McDonald’s protest in Lekki
Macdonald has not had a decent job since completing NYSC in 2012. She said she took menial jobs, but since 2014, she has not had any job at all, menial or otherwise.
“I just got fed up one day and decided to go on the streets. People did not believe I could do it. My friend was even laughing at me and I told her that her own case was not yet as serious as mine,” she said.
“I stood on the express way and passers-by kept taking pictures of me; I asked them to not only take those pictures but to also post them online.
“I put my CV online on recruitment sites and I apply to job adverts I come across. But before you know it, they would have been given to someone else. You don’t get an invitation for an interview or anything.”
Douglas meets with the VP
McDonald said all she wants to do is to lecture or teach in a university or a college.
“I do not need a job in an oil company or in a big firm. All I want is to lecture,” she said.
She added that she had applied to schools in her neighbourhood but none had given her positive feedback.
“People keep telling me that I need to know someone to have an advantage and get a job, but I don’t want to believe this is always the case.
“It is just tiring, and it is not that I am not qualified; they just haven’t given me the chance to show what I can do. I would prefer if I have been tested and proven otherwise, at least that way I know I have been examined thoroughly, but let me get the chance first.”
McDonald is currently enrolled in a Ph.D. programme at the University of Port-Harcourt, and would not mind any teaching job as long as she is allowed to continue her studies.
“That is why I was calling on President Buhari. If they can give me a job at the University of Port-harcourt, at least that way my studies would not be affected.”
Mrs. Mcdonald, Douglas Ezeugo Lilian is not a Yoruba name so dont play the tribal card. It isn’t necessary. It could also be that Lilian’s degree in Computer Science is more versatile than yours and it was easier to offer her a job.
Rather than complain and continue standing with your placard in the sun – think outside the box. Do voluntary work. They may not pay you – yet – but you aren’t earning an income now so it doesn’t make much difference. You will however be gaining experience and will be better positioned to spot opportunities than from home or on the street.
Additionally research online for possible job and consulting type opportunities for a psychologist or a person with a degree in Education (Psychology) and research and read material online to position yourself for the opportunities that may come.
Very rarely are you handed anything worthwhile without hard work and preparation. You have to by, God’s grace, make your opportunity. All the best!
You can criticise Mcdonald but what of our VP who is dashing people what is really their right? What’s the difference of giving one lady a job when there are millions of jobless Nigerian youths? It’s like pouring garri in the sea and looking for the granules. Nigerians need to stop accepting as gifts what’s their right. Until the masses rise from their lethargy nothing will ever change!
What right are you talking about? The reality of university education is not to get a job but to make you able to do a better job of your situation. Certificates are written proof that the holder is willing to slave for a master! Nigerians are not aware of this fact of life.
Getting a job is not a right. You’re right on the patronage from the VP as it’s not in his place to give her a job but I’m still happy for the young lady, she has a job and can feed herself.
Not paying attention to details, despite her plethora of Degrees might just be part of the reasons why McDonald hasnt land any good job all these while. to her, Douglas Ezeugo Lilian is “Yoruba” because she is in Lagos. Work on yourself, woman!
Hey, I understand her more than anyone being in the same situation. It is well