Rivers State Administrator, Vice-Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has restated his administration’s focus on human capital development as a key part of the state’s growth agenda. He said this on Wednesday in Port Harcourt during the opening of a 30-day fully residential Vanguard Initiative on Behavioural Modification Programme for youths in the state.
Ibas, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, explained that real progress must go beyond physical infrastructure.
“As a government, we are not only building bridges, schools, and hospitals; we are also building human capital. Real development is measured in minds that are trained, hearts that are disciplined, and hands that are willing to work,” he stated.
The Administrator noted that the Vanguard Initiative was introduced to prepare young people with resilience, discipline, and practical skills. He stressed that the programme would help participants embrace peace, avoid violence, and position themselves as innovators and future employers of labour.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Development, Mrs. Ruhuoma Kejeh, said the Behavioural Modification Training (BMT) was founded on the belief that reorientation should come before technical empowerment.
She further explained that the Ministry had designed a new approach tagged Train to Engage (TTE) to ensure participants receive full guidance and mentorship even after the training.
“In the days ahead, the Ministry will engage Skills Masters to deliver trainings in CNG conversion, ICT, fashion design, vocational skills, and agribusiness,” she announced.