Rivers State Deputy Governor Dr. (Mrs.) Ipalibo Harry Banigo says Education is the key to every level of Economic Development.
Dr. Banigo stated this while delivering a keynote address at the 18th International Annual General Meeting and National Camp of the Association of Methodist Brigade in Port Harcourt.
Represented by, her Special Assistant, on Legal Matters Barr. Ishmael Blue-Jack said the negative way in which education has been portrayed in the country is responsible for the stalled economic development we are witnessing.
“The way education has been portrayed has also been one of the major issues stalling our economic development, in Nigeria Parents force their children to seek white collar jobs because they have always believed that this is the way to economic empowerment” she stressed.
She said the topic Education and Entrepreneurship: key to economic emancipation is apt and timely but regretted that a lot of our youths do not understand the intricacies of economics, finance and nation building, which according to her goes hand in gloves.
The Deputy Governor said the future of any nation or state rests on the shoulders of the youths, who she described as the leaders of tomorrow.
“The Bible admonishes that we should bring up a child the way he should go so that when he grows up, he would not depart from it” she said.
Dr. Banigo who once served as President of the Boys Brigade of Nigeria Rivers State Branch and matron of the Girls Brigade from 1996-1999 said the problems faced by youths have grown in proportion since then, as they are now exposed to cult practices, illicit drugs and other related crimes.
The Deputy Governor said in a bid to make the state investor friendly the Wike led Government has “taken into special consideration, the economic future of the communities and our policies are particularly geared towards the establishment of small and medium scale enterprise (SMES)”.
Dr. Banigo who urged youths to always strive for excellence commended the organizers of the conference for choosing Port Harcourt to host such a dynamic gathering.
Earlier in his address the National President Association of Methodist Brigade Rt. Rev. Gboyega Ohu said the theme of the conference “God’s Word: my Guide”. Is what is needed at this time to ignite a positive change in the polity and administration of the nation.
He noted that as a body saddled with the responsibility of training youths in the Church to impact and benefit society, it is also their duty to teach them the principles of Godliness.
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