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FUBARA PLEDGES STRONG PARTNERSHIP WITH NDE TO TACKLE UNEMPLOYMENT …..Says Oyorokoto Beach Fronts’ Expansion’ll Create More Jobs, Business Opportunities For Rivers People
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has pledged a strong partnership with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to combat unemployment and empower youths across the state.
He made the commitment while receiving a delegation from the NDE, led by its Director-General, H.E. Silas Ali Agara, during an audience in Government House, Port Harcourt, last Thursday.
Governor Fubara said the partnership would focus on addressing the rising unemployment rate, worsened by migration from rural areas and neighbouring states into Port Harcourt and other cities.
“Rivers State is a very unusual state because of the huge economic activities here. We have about three seaports and an airport, so you can imagine the kind of economic activities thriving here. Everybody is leaving the rural area for the urban area in search of a job. The only way we can help is by creating opportunities for them,” he said.
Governor Fubara noted that job creation remains a top priority of his administration, describing it as one of the most effective ways to reduce crime and promote peace.
“The issue of insecurity is resolved because when they have something doing, crime rate might drop. We’re not saying it will be completely ruled out, but it reduces the issue of crime in the society,” he stated.
Governor Fubara praised the NDE’s transparent, IT-driven process that allows citizens to apply for programmes without favouritism. He urged the agency to sustain its integrity and deepen collaboration with the state government for more youths to benefit.
“For the people of Rivers State and Nigeria to appreciate the effort of Mr. President, the state has to be part of what you’re doing. When the state is involved, the right publicity is given to it. So, work with our Commissioner for Employment to make good use of those programmes,” he said.
Governor Fubara expressed surprise that NDE operates three farm centres in Rivers State, and directed the Commissioner to present a detailed report on their activities. He assured that the state government would provide support where needed.
The Governor also commended NDE’s Agricultural Support Programme for Women, describing it as vital to empowering rural women left behind when men migrate to cities.
“When the men are leaving the rural areas and going to the urban areas, you have this problem of leaving only the women. And how do we protect them? It’s by engaging them. The best thing we can do is to create something for them, and your Agric Support Programme is doing just that.”
Governor Fubara announced the discovery of a new shoreline at Ngo in Andoni Local Government Area. He described it as a strategic asset for the state’s emerging Blue Economy. He expressed pride in the discovery, calling it a legacy achievement of his administration.
“On our way, we discovered a new shoreline that is even more attractive and economically viable than Oyorokoto. We call it the Ngo shoreline. It faces the Atlantic blue water, and you can imagine the marine investors and tourist activities that can happen there. Just imagine if we finish that project and get the right investors: are we not creating jobs? Is the economy not growing?
Governor Fubara reaffirmed his commitment to bridging the gap between the rich and poor by improving access to education, healthcare, and employment.
The Governor assured the NDE delegation of his full support, promising that the partnership would yield tangible benefits. “I’m going to support every move to make sure that this collaboration we are starting today yields better fruit not just for Rivers State, but also to promote the government at the centre,” he affirmed.
In his remarks, the NDE Director-General, H.E. Silas Ali Agara, who said the visit was the first by an NDE high-powered delegation to any state since he assumed office, praised Governor Fubara for his commitment to youth empowerment, infrastructure and sports development.
Agara noted that more than 90,000 youths nationwide have benefited from the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with over 1,000 Rivers youths currently enrolled. He also announced new training programmes for persons with disabilities and underwater welding for oil and gas opportunities.
“Our programmes are open and IT-driven. You don’t need to know anyone in NDE to benefit—just access our online portal. We’re targeting rural women through agricultural value-chain projects to curb rural-urban migration and sustain family livelihoods,” Agara stated.
He pledged to strengthen collaboration with the Rivers State Government through a joint implementation team. “We are open to ideas and innovations that can help us jointly deliver more results. What works in Lagos or Kano may not work here, so we want demand-driven skills that suit Rivers State,” Agara stated.
He promised that the next phase of its programme targets no fewer than 500 youths in 12 local government areas of the state, and expressed optimism that with the NDE and the State Government working together, the people will benefit more.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has demanded quick and full resolution to the challenges arising from the gas leakage that occurred in Bille, Degema Local Government Area of the State.
The governor has also pledged to upgrade the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Bille with a view to addressing the health challenges confronting the community.
Fubara made the pledge on Wednesday at the Government House, Port Harcourt during an enlarged meeting of key stakeholders, comprising representatives of the Federal Government, the state government and leaders of the community.
The meeting was held to review the situation in the community and explore available opportunities to save the people from the adverse impacts of environmental pollution.
Addressing the journalists at the end of the meeting, the governor acknowledged the determination of the Federal Government and its agencies to get to the root cause of the problem in Bille and ensure that it is resolved permanently.
“The meeting is in respect of the situation in Bille. You’re aware that there is a case of gas leakage somewhere in Bille and the people have been making some requests that the government should come to their rescue to resolve the situation.
“As a state, we have gone to see the situation in the community, not alone but in conjunction with the industry operators and officials of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources. What we are doing today is an enlarged meeting where all the parties are sitting together to look at the cause of the issue and the most possible way to get the problem resolved,” he said.
Fubara described the outcome of the meeting as successful, stressing that more action would be taken in the next couple of weeks to ensure that the issue is fully resolved.
The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo, who led the Federal Government’s delegation to the meeting, expressed appreciation to the governor for his warm hospitality and efforts to address the challenge in Bille community.
Ekpo explained that contrary to the perception in certain quarters, the Federal Government has not been silent over the “gas seepage” but has been working tirelessly towards finding a sustainable solution.
The minister explained that as soon as the incident was reported, the Federal Government deployed experts to the area to understudy the cause of the problem.
According to him, it was difficult at first to understand the cause of the problem since there were no oil or gas infrastructure within the vicinity of the incident, hence the need to conduct a more detailed investigation.
“The investigation is still going but we decided to do a follow-up visit to the area to talk to the people of Bille Community that we need collaboration on their part so that we would be able to arrive at a lasting solution.
“The safety of the people is paramount. We can understand their anxiety, the worry and the danger that this thing poses within the area, but the Federal Government is committed to finding a lasting solution to the problem. The primary responsibility of government is to take care of the welfare and security of the people and that is exactly why we are here to go and see things for ourselves,” he said.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, also explained that as the regulatory agency at the centre of the issue, no effort will be spared in the task of resolving the issue.
Eyesan pledged that the NUPRC and operators in the industry were prepared to address the requests of the impacted people in terms of the provision of potable water and fire trucks to the community.
The Public Relations Officer, Council of Chiefs, Bille Kingdom, Chief Rena Dappa, had during the meeting, presented the challenges facing the community and pleaded for government’s support to save the lives and livelihoods of the people.
President Bola Tinubu has announced the launch of a training programme for 5,000 young Nigerians as meter installers and technicians under the Presidential Metering Initiative.
The President stated that the scheme is aimed at creating jobs, closing the country’s metering gap and improving electricity supply.
The President disclosed this in a statement on his verified X handle yesterday, describing the initiative, tagged “The Power Force,” as part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to expand employment opportunities for young people.
According to Tinubu, the programme will equip participants with practical technical skills and connect them to employment opportunities in Nigeria’s power sector.
“Through the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), which I established to close Nigeria’s metering gap, end estimated billing, protect consumers and strengthen the electricity market, we are opening a new pathway for 5,000 young Nigerians to be trained as meter installers and technicians under The Power Force. This programme is about jobs, skills and dignity,” he said.
Tinubu said the training would be open to eligible Nigerians who have completed their secondary school education, with a dedicated quota reserved for members of the National Youth Service Corps.
He noted that expanding electricity metering was critical to improving service delivery and promoting transparency in the power sector.
“When homes and businesses are properly metered, Nigerians can pay for what they actually use. When electricity distribution companies collect revenues more transparently and fairly, they are better able to reduce losses, maintain infrastructure, expand connections and invest in better service.
“This is how we build a power sector that is fairer to consumers, stronger for investors and better able to deliver reliable electricity to the Nigerian people,” the President said.
Tinubu said he had directed the Presidential Metering Initiative to work with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria, and other relevant stakeholders to commence the programme within the next 30 days.
He encouraged qualified young Nigerians to apply, saying the initiative would provide them with marketable skills while supporting efforts to eliminate estimated billing and improve electricity access nationwide.
“I encourage eligible young Nigerians to apply. Join The Power Force. Learn a skill. Earn with dignity. Help us end estimated billing and be part of the work to light up Nigeria,” he added.
The Federal Government has announced that the third evacuation flight for Nigerians voluntarily returning from South Africa will arrive Lagos today having departed Johannesburg at midnight yesterday with 271 returnees on board.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday by its spokesperson, Mr Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
According to the ministry, the Air Peace-operated flight is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026.
It said the evacuation is part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to facilitate the voluntary return of Nigerians from South Africa.
“The third evacuation flight operated by Air Peace will depart Johannesburg today by 12 midnight with 271 returnees. The estimated time of arrival in Lagos is 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026,” the statement read.
The latest batch of returnees follows earlier evacuation flights that brought hundreds of Nigerians back to the country under the Federal Government’s voluntary repatriation programme.