BY PATRICK MGBODO
The Delta State Government has said it would initiate strategic measures to avert a potential flight of capital caused by the migration of engineers and technology experts to other regions.
Emphasizing its commitment to retaining local talent, the state government said it was determined to address this trend by cultivating and nurturing local talents in its technical colleges spread across the state.
This was disclosed by the new Commissioner for Technical Education, Mr. Smart Ijeoma in his maiden address to staff members of the ministry upon his assumption of office.
Mr. Ijeoma charged the civil servants in the ministry to redouble efforts in realizing the vision of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as captured in the MORE Agenda, stressing the need for them to be focused and committed.
‘’The time of wearing ties and suits, looking for white-collar jobs is over. What we are after today, and what controls the world is to train people in technology; that is the direction we are headed.
‘’How do we achieve this? It is from the preparatory class that we nurture those who will drive technology in our society. This is our mandate; to train students and give them the technical know-how to develop this country’’
The technical education commissioner lamented that a majority of those excelling in Nigeria’s construction industry are from neighbouring countries such as Ghana, Benin Republic and Togo, adding that emphasis should be directed to the practical demonstrations of how to make society better. ‘’On this note, I admonish you, in whatever capacity you find yourself, to do your best and impart knowledge, and prepare the students. We have the technical know-how to be productive tomorrow. We want to produce engineers, those who can create automobiles.
‘’We want to train people who will make better tools and equipment for industrialization. I know that together we can do it. This is time for us to think, search our minds and reflect on the way forward so that we can avoid capital flight; so that we can avoid mass exodus of our children to other places with their wealth today’’ he said.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Dr (Mrs) Gloria Patrick-Ferife expressed excitement that the governor has appointed Mr. Ijeoma to head the ministry, even as she briefed the new commissioner on the prospects and challenges of the ministry. ‘’The Ministry has the vision to promote and develop skill-based education of the students. We have nine technical schools under our charge and our job is to manage them as well as formulate policies and programs that will aid in this direction’’, she said.
During the interactive session, the staff members welcomed the new commissioner, pledging to do their best to help him realize the vision of Governor Oborevwori in technical education, particularly in training the students.
