Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has called for greater emphasis on technical and vocational education in Nigeria, saying the country’s excessive focus on university degrees is undermining the development of practical skills.
Fubara made the call on Wednesday during the inauguration of the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic Entrepreneurship Centre and Faculty of Engineering Building in Rumuola, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The governor said the Entrepreneurship Centre was established to equip students with business and vocational skills that would enable them to become self-reliant rather than depend solely on government employment.
He urged the management, staff and students of the institution to protect the newly completed facilities from vandalism and theft, stressing that the projects were assets belonging to the people.
Fubara also called on Rivers residents to sustain the prevailing peace in the state, noting that the peaceful atmosphere had enabled his administration to focus on projects that directly improve the lives of residents.
“There is every need for everyone to abide by this peace. Without peace, we will not be here to inaugurate this project,” he said.
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The governor maintained that meaningful and lasting development could only be achieved in a peaceful environment, assuring that his administration remained committed to delivering projects that would benefit present and future generations.
He thanked the people of Obio-Akpor for their continued support, describing the local government area as special to him and assuring residents of sustained government attention.
Earlier, Chairman of the Governing Council of the polytechnic, Hon. Hope Ikiriko, commended Fubara for his commitment to improving infrastructure at the institution.
Ikiriko appealed to the governor to conclude the recruitment of 150 academic staff initiated in 2024 and approve the employment of an additional 200 academic and technical personnel to strengthen the institution’s workforce.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peter Nwagor, praised the governor for ensuring the timely release of funds that facilitated the completion of the projects.
Nwagor disclosed that the projects, awarded on October 9, 2024, were completed within nine months.
According to him, the projects include the construction and furnishing of two one-storey buildings housing classrooms, workshops and staff quarters for the School of Engineering, the Entrepreneurship Centre, as well as the furnishing of the institution’s Governing Council Building.
