The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Skills Development and Job Creation, Prof. Nwogo Obasi Ajuka, has unveiled an ambitious agenda to transform the state's skills acquisition sector through aggressive grassroots entrepreneurship programmes, strategic partnerships and community-based vocational training aimed at reducing unemployment and accelerating industrialization in the state.
Speaking with journalists on Thursday at his office in Ochudo Centenary City, Abakaliki, Ajuka said the ministry would pursue Governor Francis Nwifuru's industrialization agenda by equipping youths, women and unemployed persons with marketable professional and technical skills capable of making them self-reliant.
According to him, the creation of the ministry aligns with the governor's People's Charter of Needs policy, which seeks to produce a skilled workforce capable of meeting the manpower needs of the state's emerging industries.
"The governor is looking at industrialising Ebonyi State where both the skilled and the unskilled, especially in terms of technical labour, will be provided. That is why this ministry has been created to develop skilled entrepreneurs who will become independent and productive," he said.
The commissioner thanked Governor Nwifuru for finding him worthy of redeployment from the Ministry of Market Development and Parks to head the newly established ministry, describing the appointment as an opportunity to contribute more meaningfully to the state's development.
"I want to thank His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, who found me worthy to be redeployed to this ministry. I have come to take the ministry to another level so that the dream of the governor in establishing this ministry will be fulfilled," Ajuka stated.
He also commended the pioneer commissioner of the ministry, Mr Oko Okwu Udu for laying a solid foundation, assuring that his administration would consolidate on the achievements already recorded.
Ajuka said his vision is to build a robust skills development system through collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Skills Development and Entrepreneurship, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), universities and private sector organisations.
"This ministry has a counterpart at the federal level. I must ensure adequate collaboration with that ministry so that the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President is replicated in Ebonyi State through this ministry," he said.
He added that the ministry would also embrace public-private partnerships to expand access to vocational training and entrepreneurship development across the state.
"We are going into public-private partnerships that will ensure adequate training of Ebonyians in different skills that will make them entrepreneurs. It is not going to be just an aggregation of training; we will expand through partnerships with specialised entrepreneurs across the state," he said.
The commissioner explained that the ministry would identify experienced artisans and business owners in various communities and engage them as training partners under a government-supported programme.
"Every local government has specialised entrepreneurs. You have people into beauty services, confectionery, shoemaking, tailoring, plumbing and many other technical skills. We will partner with such people, sponsor trainees under them and boost skills acquisition at the grassroots," he added.
Ajuka further disclosed that the ministry would collaborate with entrepreneurship centres in tertiary institutions across Ebonyi State to strengthen innovation, research and technical knowledge required to drive sustainable job creation.
"Ebonyi State is blessed with universities that have entrepreneurship centres. Where we lack knowledge, the universities will bridge the gap and provide the expertise to drive this ministry," he said.
He revealed that he had already held inaugural meetings with directors and heads of departments and directed them to begin work immediately ahead of the ministry's management meeting.
"We will hit the ground running. I must ensure that the mandate given to me by His Excellency is delivered, no matter how short or long I remain here," the commissioner declared.
On his recent redeployment, Ajuka dismissed suggestions that the decision was politically motivated, insisting that it was a normal administrative exercise.
"For me, it is long overdue. I look at it as normal. If my boss believes I am qualified to serve here, then it is my responsibility to make it work. I don't see it as political vendetta," he said.
Speaking on the state's industrial cluster project, Ajuka, who is a member of the implementation committee, disclosed that available reports indicate that most of the structures have reached the roofing stage.
"The committee is working assiduously. The last report available to the state showed that most of the buildings are already at the roofing stage. This ministry will be one of the greatest beneficiaries of the industrial clusters, and we will follow the project closely," he said.
