By: Felix Ikpotor
Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has urged youths in the state to take advantage of the vast opportunities available to become employers of labour and contribute meaningfully to the development of the State.
Governor Fubara noted that global trends increasingly favour entrepreneurship and innovation, stressing that youths in Rivers State must not be left behind in harnessing these opportunities.
Fubara, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Benibo Anabraba, made this known while declaring open the 2026 Job Fair organised by the Rivers State Government in partnership with the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) in Port Harcourt.
Speaking on the theme, “Addressing Youth Employability for Prosperity,” he acknowledged the responsibility of government to create jobs for its teeming youth population but noted that the civil service cannot absorb all job seekers.
“As a government, we recognise our duty to provide employment opportunities for our teeming youths. However, we also understand that not all youths can be accommodated within the civil service.
”This underscores the need to encourage entrepreneurship across diverse sectors and to partner with other stakeholders, including the youths themselves, so they can transition from being job seekers to employers of labour,” he said.
Governor Fubara further urged participants to continuously sharpen their skills and explore opportunities within their immediate environment as well as in the global space through the use of digital platforms.
He reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to sustaining peace and providing an enabling environment that allows youths to develop their potentials and thrive.
In a goodwill message, the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr Chisom Gbali, said the job fair was designed to equip youths with contemporary skills, innovations and mentorship needed to transform them from unemployable to resourceful individuals.
He disclosed that the ministry has rolled out various training and capacity-building programmes in areas such as ICT and artificial intelligence, oil and gas, maritime, and the blue economy, among others.
Delivering the keynote address, Head, Department of Human Resources Management, Rivers State University, Dr Chris Biriowu, advised participants to stay informed about evolving sources of employability.
He explained that the labour market is dynamic and shaped by industry-specific demands, technological advancements, management practices and other emerging factors.
