A’Ibom Govt To Train 31, 000 Youths Annually, 124,000 Over The Next Four Years

….As Gov Eno Inaugurates Youth-Friendly Centre In Oron
By Bassey Nkponam
ORON
Akwa Ibom government is to train 31,000 young Akwa Ibomites annually, amounting to 124,000 youths over the next four years.
The State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, who announced plans of government, on Tuesday, during the inauguration of the youth- friendly centre in Oron Local Government Area, said government intends to train 31, 000 young Akwa Ibomites annually, and 124,000 over the next four years.
Eno said the Oron centre was the first of 31 centres to be replicated across all local government areas of the state, with each centre billed  to train 1,000 youths annually in ICT, fashion and design, catering, and other market-ready skills translating to 31,000 trained youths every year, urging youths to take full advantage of the facilities in their respective areas for their personal development and the overall progress of the State.
He noted that the youth friendly centres, primary health centres and other facilities of government across the State were targeted at decentralizing development and reducing rural- urban migration.
Eno said the establishment of Youth Development Centres across the state was part of a clear policy to ensure young people no longer have to travel to Uyo before accessing government empowerment programmes, adding that his administration created a stand alone Ministry of Youth Development, in order to prioritize the empowerment of youths in the State.
According to him, “the creation of a stand alone Ministry of Youth Development was aimed at giving focused attention to youth-related interventions across all local government areas,” describing the project as a deliberate strategy to decentralise youth empowerment and bring skills development closer to young people at the grassroots.
He recalled that local government chairmen were requested to provide land within their headquarters for the centres, noting that 14 local government areas had already complied, with Oron completing its facility ahead of others.
Eno said that the programme was designed to cover all 31 local government areas, with the first phase to be completed before further expansion in 2027, stressing  that the centres were strictly training and empowerment hubs, warning that they must not be used for weddings, parties, or other social events.
The Governor made known that training programmes will soon commence in ICT, Artificial Intelligence(AI), Cybersecurity, and other digital skills to prepare  youths for emerging global opportunities, adding that about 100 youths will be selected per training cycle, with a target of empowering at least 1,000 youths annually in each local government area, alongside vocational training that will cover fashion design, catering, digital literacy, and other entrepreneurial skills tailored to local needs.
He noted that the initiative will be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Economy and the Ministry of Sports, with additional recreational activities such as Chess and Scrabble to be introduced to enhance mental development.
Eno further stated that the centres will be powered by solar energy and equipped with e-libraries to ensure uninterrupted learning and research access, urging youths to take ownership of the initiative and called on local government chairmen to ensure proper monitoring and protection of the facilities.
In his remarks, the commissioner for Youth Development, Dr. Ekerete Ekanem, commended Governor Eno for his visionary investment in the future of young people in the state, saying, “the ARISE Youth Skill Centre is not just a building but a transformational ecosystem designed to nurture talent, promote innovation, and build capacity among youths
Ekanem explained that the facility includes a multipurpose training hall, digital library and ICT hub, creative and media centre, youth enterprise kiosk, networking and relaxation spaces, and recreational facilities, noting that each component was deliberately designed to transform young people from job seekers into job creators.
He explained that the centre has the capacity to train at least 1,000 youths annually, adding that replication across all 31 local government areas could empower over 31,000 youths every year.
The commissioner said that the initiative would significantly reduce unemployment, while promoting innovation and entrepreneurship among young people, hinting that social welfare officers would be deployed to provide counselling services and address issues such as drug abuse and other social challenges affecting youths.
He emphasised that the centre was strictly for training and development, not for social or entertainment activities, assuring that his Ministry will work with relevant stakeholders to ensure effective programme delivery.
Ekanem described the centre in Oron as a comprehensive hub for youth economic empowerment and transformation, and part of a broader push to decentralize development and reduce rural-urban migration.
The youth-friendly centres represent far more than physical infrastructure; they symbolise a deliberate effort to create enabling environments where young people can develop their talents, strengthen their capabilities and participate meaningfully in society.