Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has called for greater investment in technical and vocational education, saying the state needs skilled manpower capable of driving economic growth.
Fubara spoke on Wednesday while commissioning three projects at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
The projects are the Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Centre, the School of Engineering Building and the Governing Council Building.
The School of Engineering Building was constructed and furnished by the Fubara administration, while the Governing Council Building was constructed under former Governor Nyesom Wike and later furnished by the current administration.
Fubara Calls for More Vocational Training
The governor said excessive focus on academic certificates had contributed to the neglect of technical and vocational education.
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According to him, the difficulty many young Nigerians face in gaining university admission makes it necessary to strengthen alternative forms of education that provide practical skills.
Fubara, a former teacher, said polytechnic education remained important in preparing young people for employment and entrepreneurship.
He said Rivers State needed skilled manpower rather than an overwhelming number of administrative officers.
The governor said the Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Centre was established to train young people to become job creators instead of relying on government for employment.
He said his administration was focused on projects capable of having a direct impact on the people.
Fubara also promised to consider further interventions at the polytechnic and urged the management and students to protect the newly commissioned facilities from vandalism.
He called on residents of Rivers State to continue to maintain peace, describing it as essential to the development of the state.
Projects Completed in Nine Months
The Rector of the polytechnic, Moses Neebee, said the commissioning marked the first time in nearly two decades that major projects were being inaugurated at the institution.
Neebee commended the governor for investing in the institution and improving its infrastructure.
The Commissioner for Education, Peter Nwagor, described the projects as legacy projects, saying they were awarded in October 2024 and completed within nine months.
Nwagor said the projects reflected the state government’s commitment to strengthening technical and vocational education as part of its human capital development programme.
The Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Gift Worlu, described the projects as a turning point for the polytechnic, saying they would enhance its capacity to produce entrepreneurs and job creators.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.