Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has announced plans by his administration to support a comprehensive students’ conference that will bring together students, government representatives and the private sector to deliberate on employment opportunities, skills development and the challenges of transitioning from school into the larger society.
Governor Eno made the disclosure on Tuesday during an interactive session with student leaders drawn from various tertiary institutions in the state, held at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Uyo, where issues bordering on education, youth development and governance were extensively discussed.
Speaking at the event, the Governor said the proposed conference is aimed at creating a platform where students will have direct engagement with policy makers and industry players, to better understand the demands of the labour market and prepare themselves for life after graduation.
According to him, the era where students graduate and wait endlessly for white-collar jobs is over, and it has become necessary to equip students with relevant skills, entrepreneurial knowledge and practical exposure that will make them employable and self-reliant.
He explained that the conference will focus on critical areas such as job creation, vocational and technical skills acquisition, career guidance, entrepreneurship and how students can smoothly transit from the academic environment into productive roles in society.
Governor Eno emphasized that his administration is deeply committed to human capital development and that the ARISE Agenda places strong priority on education, youth empowerment and job creation as key drivers of sustainable development in the state.
The Governor also used the occasion to encourage students to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, and participate actively in the democratic process, stressing that students as future leaders cannot afford to be indifferent to governance and electoral processes.
He noted that meaningful participation in democracy goes beyond complaining on social media, and that students must take advantage of their numerical strength and intellectual capacity to influence policies and contribute to nation-building through active involvement in elections.
Governor Eno urged student leaders to remain committed to the ideals of peace, academic excellence and responsible leadership, adding that as leaders of tomorrow, they must demonstrate character, discipline and patriotism in their conduct both on campus and outside.
He assured the student leaders of his administration’s continuous support and partnership, noting that government will continue to create enabling environment and programmes that will enhance their academic pursuits and personal development.
The Governor stated that his government will not relent in investing in education infrastructure, bursaries, scholarships and other support schemes that will make learning more conducive and reduce the financial burden on students and their parents.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr. Ekerete Ekanem, commended Governor Umo Eno for what he described as his long-term and visionary development efforts targeted at securing the future of youths in the state.
Dr. Ekanem explained that the youth development centres being established across the three senatorial districts of the state are designed to help students develop useful skills, acquire practical knowledge and become self-reliant after graduation.
According to him, the centres will provide training in various vocational skills, digital literacy, entrepreneurship and leadership, which will complement formal education and give students an edge in the competitive job market.
Also speaking, the President of the National Association of Akwa Ibom State Students, NAAKISS, Comrade Torobong Obot, expressed gratitude to Governor Eno for his consistent financial support to students and his deliberate efforts to improve the education sector.
Comrade Obot said the Governor’s interventions in the form of bursaries, educational grants and infrastructural upgrades in schools have given many students renewed hope and a sense of belonging in the affairs of the state.
He assured the Governor that Akwa Ibom students will continue to support his administration and remain law-abiding, while pledging to champion peace and academic excellence in all campuses across the state.
The interactive session, which was lively and engaging, provided an opportunity for student leaders to ask questions, make suggestions and present some of their challenges to the Governor for consideration and possible intervention.
The event was attended by top government functionaries including the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, Executive Assistant and Chief Delivery Adviser to the Governor, Mr. Aniefiok Johnson, members of the State Executive Council and other government officials.
Stakeholders who spoke at the event described the Governor’s plan to support the students’ conference as timely and commendable, noting that it will bridge the gap between town and gown and prepare students for the realities of the world of work after school.
