26/02/2025
𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮 @5: 𝙂𝙤𝙫. 𝘿𝙞𝙧𝙞, 𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮
As a young boarding student at Bishop Crowther Memorial secondary school, Rumuobiakani, I had to always pass by Government Technical College, Trans-Amadi, GTC as it is popularly called, coming from Ogbunabali through Rumomasi before getting to my school.
Aside from the fact that myself and other boys were fascinated by relatives and neighbors who could fix faulty electronics like TV sets, fans, cassette players and electric irons, I always imagined what was behind those walls whenever I passed by the school.
I wondered what they taught and the kind of equipment they used that had enabled boys in their teenage years to make some bucks, buy snacks with which to attracts girls.
All we could do was hope that sooner or later, we will also have the opportunity to acquire the training that will earn us a living or at least buy snacks from moneys we made by ourselves, even if we couldn't have girl friends.
Their skills gave them an edge and a good start to the journey of financial independence. That is the key Gov. Douye Diri is placing in the hands of young Bayelsans by building technical colleges across the state.
This visionary initiative is a game-changer for the youths and the economy of Bayelsa State because it's key to self reliance and prosperity.
𝙀𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙏𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙀𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣
The technical colleges, strategically located in each of the eight local government areas, are designed to equip young people with practical skills and training in various technical fields.
This approach is a deliberate attempt to shift the focus from certificate-based education, unemployment, youth restiveness and violent crimes to skills acquisition, making Bayelsa youths more employable and entrepreneurial.
The efforts of the Prosperity Government to give young Bayelsans access to quality technical education, is a sure way of empowering these lads to take control of their futures, become self-reliant, and contribute meaningfully to the state's economy, thereby giving them a better alternative to crime and violence.
The emphasis on technical education is beginning to bridge the gap between theory and practice, producing a good number of skilled technicians, artisans, and innovators in the nearest future.
𝙀𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙘 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨
The establishment of technical colleges has far-reaching economic implications for Bayelsa State. By investing in human capital development, the government is creating a pool of skilled workers who can drive economic growth and development.
The technical colleges will also serve as incubators for entrepreneurship, fostering a culture of innovation and self-reliance among young people. As graduates of these colleges establish their own businesses, they will create jobs, stimulate economic activity, and contribute to the state's GDP.
𝘼 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝙀𝙧𝙖 𝙤𝙛 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮
The Prosperity Government's commitment to technical education is proof that the Miracle governor is committed to his vision for a prosperous Bayelsa State. The government is laying the foundation for a new era of economic growth and development by empowering young people with practical skills and training,
In the words of Senator Douye Diri, "We want to de-emphasise certificate education so that our young ones can use their hands, learn skills and be employers of labour" .
This vision is fast becoming a reality, and Bayelsa State is poised to reap the benefits of a technically skilled and entrepreneurial workforce.
