Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, has assured full cooperation with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to accelerate job creation and empower youths and women across the state.
The commitment came during a visit by NDE Director-General Silas Agara and his team to the Government House in Port Harcourt, where both parties discussed strategies to ensure federal employment and empowerment programs reach more residents.
Governor Fubara commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for prioritising job creation through the NDE, emphasising that sub-national governments must also play an active role in supporting these initiatives.
The governor cited a personal example from three decades ago, noting how his cousin secured employment through the NDE without influence, highlighting the agency’s commitment to merit-based opportunities.
“Experiences like this show that transparent systems can transform lives,” Fubara said, adding that he was confident the NDE would continue to uphold fairness in its programmes.
Despite economic challenges, the governor stressed the importance of optimism and determination, highlighting Rivers State’s strategic significance due to its ports, oil industry presence, and growing population.
Governor Fubara expressed enthusiasm about the NDE’s farm centres in the state and instructed the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Empowerment, Chisom Gbali, to coordinate follow-ups.
He also stressed the importance of women in development, calling them a critical but often underrepresented group in economic empowerment and migration processes.
To enhance the effectiveness of the partnership, Fubara proposed a joint Rivers State–NDE task force to oversee programme implementation, improve coordination, and maximise impact at the local level.
He also noted that ongoing infrastructure projects, such as the Ngo–Atlantic–Oyorokoto Road, would unlock economic potential in the blue economy and tourism sectors, generating jobs and investment opportunities.
“Oyorokoto, West Africa’s largest fishing settlement, along with the Ngo beach area, holds enormous potential for investment and employment,” he added.
Earlier, the Director-General Silas Agara praised the governor’s collaborative approach and briefed him on the NDE’s progress under the Renewed Hope Agenda, which has reached over 90,000 beneficiaries nationwide since 2024.
Agara announced plans to train 500 more youths from 12 local government areas in the coming weeks, including persons living with disabilities.
The agency is also offering agricultural and technical skills programs for women and specialized welding training for the oil and gas sector.
He confirmed that Rivers State’s skill acquisition and farm centres would be fully operational by 2026 and emphasized that ICT-enabled processes ensure transparency and equal access for all participants.
“We are committed to deepening our partnership with Rivers State to create employment, attract investments, and reduce unemployment,” Agara said.
