The state government has said that it will continue to train and retrain students across the state on skills and entrepreneurship to make them self reliant on graduation.

Governor Willie Obiano stated this during a one-day Business Plan and Entrepreneurship Fair, organized by the state government through the Ministry of Education in partnership with United Nations Industrial Development Organization, UNIDO.

The event, which is the maiden edition, was held at the Teachers House Awka, with both private and public Secondary School students from the twenty-one local government areas of the state in attendance with various products for exhibition.

Addressing the students, Governor Obiano represented by his Deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke said his government will keep doing its best in financing the Education sector as the previous efforts are already yielding positive results.

The Governor, who described hard work as key to success, advised the students to always believe in themselves, work hard, and utilize their numerous opportunities in present Anambra state education sector to be great in life and also make the schools and society proud.

In her remark, the state Commissioner for Basic Education, Professor Kate Omenugha, noted that the fare was aimed at making students in the state to see education as business and become self reliant on graduation.

In his good will massage, the UNIDO Representative to ECOWAS and Regional Director, Nigeria Regional Office Hub, Mr. Jean Bakole, represented by Chief Francis Ukoh said for Nigeria to confront skills challenges, there must be a review of the country’s educational curriculum by the government and stakeholders, to promote technical and entrepreneurial skills that will create jobs, wealth and build a resilient and inclusive economy.

Some of the students who spoke to the ABS, including Master Akachukwu Okoye from New Era Secondary School Nteje, who produced a working drone camera, and his Ide Secondary School Enugwu-Ukwu, counterpart, Miss Ifunanya Onuorah whose school produced Custard, expressed hope that through the entrepreneurial training in their various schools they will become owners of their own businesses on graduation.

In their various interviews, the Principal of Community Secondary School Ajali, Lady Esther Uzor and her Ide Secondary School Enugwu-Ukwu counterpart, Mrs. Amaka Ubaka commended Governor Obiano for investing more in entrepreneurship, which they said will minimize unemployment among students on graduation and called for financial assistance from both government and private individuals to enable them improve in the entrepreneurship practical.

Also present at the event were Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, Commissioner for Indigenous Art Work, Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, state Head of Service, Barrister Harry Udu, among others.