Author: Gist Correspondent

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged youths in the state to take advantage of the abundant opportunities around them to become employers of labour and active contributors to economic growth.

The Governor said prevailing global trends now favour entrepreneurship, innovation and skills development, noting that Rivers youths must position themselves to compete favourably in the evolving labour market.

Governor Fubara, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, made the call while declaring open the 2026 Job Fair organised by the Rivers State Government in collaboration with the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) in Port Harcourt.

Speaking on the theme, “Addressing Youth Employability for Prosperity,” the Governor acknowledged the responsibility of government to create jobs but stressed that it was unrealistic to absorb the growing number of job seekers solely into the civil service.

According to him, while government remains committed to employment generation, the future lies in empowering youths to explore entrepreneurship across diverse sectors and to work with relevant stakeholders to transition from job seekers to job creators.

Governor Fubara further encouraged participants to continuously upgrade their skills, leverage digital platforms and explore opportunities within their immediate environment as well as in the global economy. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining peace and providing an enabling environment for youths to unlock their full potential.

In a goodwill message, the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Chisom Gbali, said the job fair was aimed at equipping youths with relevant skills, innovations and mentorship required to make them competitive and self-reliant.

She disclosed that the ministry has introduced several training and capacity-building programmes in critical sectors including ICT and artificial intelligence, oil and gas, maritime, and the blue economy.

Delivering the keynote address, the Head of the Department of Human Resources Management, Rivers State University, Dr. Chris Biriowu, urged participants to remain informed about emerging employability trends. He noted that the labour market is constantly evolving due to technological advancements, industry-specific demands and changing management practices, making adaptability essential for success.