Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rhodes, has pledged to support his administration’s full commitment to working with the state’s youth and women to create jobs.
Governor Fubara made the pledge on Thursday when he made the visit to Government House in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, with the delegation led by the NDE Director-General, Silas Agara.
The governor stated that the governor’s administration would work closely with the NDE to increase the number of people who are receiving federal government employment and empowerment programs.
He argued that sub-national governments deserved praise for President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to boost job creation through the agency.
Fubara recalled a personal story that reinforced his faith in the NDE, narrating how his cousin, who had been working for the Directorate without any influence, was hired in Port Harcourt about 30 years ago.
He cited it as proof that transparent processes could transform lives, and he also expressed confidence that the agency would continue to support fairness and merit in its programs.
The governor stressed the need for renewed optimism and determination while recognizing that Rivers State continues to be a strategic hub due to its sea ports, expanding oil companies, and population growth.
He requested more information from the State Commissioner for Employment Generation and Empowerment, Chisom Gbali, in order to inform the government’s follow-up, and expressed particular interest in the three NDE farm centers that the Director-General mentioned.
Gov . Women are a crucial but frequently overlooked component of the migration and development process, according to Fabara, who also praised the Directorate’s commitment to women empowerment.
He urged the NDE to collaborate closely with the Employment Ministry to ensure that the state fully benefits from both the state’s ongoing and upcoming initiatives.
In order to improve coordination and improve the effectiveness of their collaboration, Governor Fubara suggested the creation of a joint state-NDE team.
He cited the state’s broader economic vision and the ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Ngo-Atlantic-Oyorokoto Road in Andoni, which he claimed would unlock the state’s potential for blue economy and tourism.
He believes that opening access to the Ngo beach area and Oyorokoto, rumored to be West Africa’s largest fishing settlement, would result in employment and investment.
He added that the less fortunate can obtain basic necessities like food, education, and shelter, putting the risk of increasing inequality in society at risk.
READ ALSO: Fubara Tells Traditional Rulers That Governance Is Back On Track in Rivers
Agara praised the governor’s open-door policy earlier in his remarks, claiming it had promoted collaboration and progress.
The NDE boss explained that since taking over the presidency in 2024, the organization has implemented a number of youth empowerment initiatives, including the training and engagement of over 90,000 beneficiaries nationwide.
In the upcoming weeks, he announced plans to train 500 more youths in 12 local government areas and give more people with disabilities opportunities.
He claimed that the NDE is also conducting training for rural women in agricultural and technical skills as well as for youth employment in the oil and gas industry.
Agara expressed hope that the agency’s Rivers State skill acquisition and farm centers would be fully operational by 2026, stressing that all of its procedures are ICT-enabled to ensure access to information and transparency.
