Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has inaugurated a Steering Committee for Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) Project to ensure that youths in the state and nation continue to receive qualitative education that will make them both employable and employers of labour.

Speaking while inaugurating the committee at Government House, Umuahia, Governor Ikpeazu charged the members of the steering committee to ensure the successful implementation of the project in accordance with guidelines, meet at least twice a year as well as do all that is required of them to make the program successful.

The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, PhD, noted that his administration in pursuance of functional educational system, set up the Education For Employment (E4E) programme to enable youths with paper qualification be both employable and employers of labour by empowering them with skills that will qualify them to fill existing vacancies in corporate organizations and other establishments and also be self reliant.

The education and youth friendly Governor also said Government embarked on the rehabilitation and reequipping of three Technical Colleges located in Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia in the three Senatorial Zones of the State to equip the youths with necessary skills that will make them functional and great entrepreneurs and expressed confidence in the ability of members of the steering committee, made up of experienced and tested individuals, to further interpret his vision and give life to his desire to nurture a generation of skilled youths in collaboration with international organizations.

Responding on behalf of the members of the committee, the Chairman who is also the State Commissioner For, Education, Dr K.C.K, Nwangwa, thanked the Governor for giving them the opportunity to contribute to the incubation of a generation of skilled and employable Abians that will support the ongoing industrial revolution of the state.

Other Members of the committee are Sir Lawrence Obetta who is the Deputy Chairman, Mr Nwankpa, Chief J.C. Ezebuiro, Bar Okey Ogbonna, Engr Cletus Ekpo, Mr James Onwukwe and a representative of NBTF.