The Rivers State Government has launched a 30-day fully residential Behavioural Modification Programme under its Vanguard Initiative, aimed at equipping youths with discipline, focus, and employability skills.
Declaring the programme open on Wednesday, September 3, in Port Harcourt, the State Administrator, Vice-Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, said the administration is investing in human capital alongside physical infrastructure.
“As a government, we are not only building bridges, schools, and hospitals; we are also building human capital,” Ibas said.
“Development is not complete until our youths rise with it.”
“We’re Building Human Capital, Not Just Roads”
He explained that the Vanguard Initiative was designed to train minds, build character, and prepare young people to become employers and leaders. The programme, he said, would equip participants to reject violence, resist peer pressure, and embrace positive values.
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The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Development, Mrs. Ruhuoma Kejeh, said the Behavioural Modification Training (BMT) precedes vocational and technical skills acquisition to ensure that trainees are first mentally and emotionally prepared.
She also unveiled a new model, Train to Engage (TTE), which links training directly to real opportunities. Upcoming training modules include ICT, CNG conversion, fashion tech, agro-business, and more.
Participants were urged to take the training seriously and become changemakers in their communities.
Also in attendance were the Head of Service, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, and other top government officials.
