Gov's Aide Warns Against Cultism, Tasks Students On Vocational Skills

With cultism and other vices rampant in public primary and secondary schools, students of Government Technical College (GTC), Ewet Offot, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, have been warned against indulging in antisocial behaviours that can truncate their future.

Instead, they should redouble their efforts to imbibe the entrepreneurial and enterprising culture that Governor Umo Eno is instituting in the state under the ARISE Agenda blueprint.

According to the governor, the intervention became necessary “due to the shortfall in white collar jobs and the need to diversify into massive entrepreneurial ventures, to encourage young people in skills acquisition and capacity enhancement programmes to arm them ahead of the challenges of the contemporary society.”

Speaking during the Open Day/Departmental Day of the College in Uyo, the senior special assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr. Essien Ndueso encouraged the students to remain focused in their studies and avoid getting involved in activities inimical to their growth.

He wondered why young people would join cult-related activities while in school, adding that the Grace of God and hard work have brought him thus far in life.

“If the Governor who superintends over the affairs of over 7.9million people, could still find time to go through the rigorous academic process to earn a doctoral degree, then you people have no reason not to excel in your studies,” he noted.

Dr. Ndueso who was special guest at the event, was conducted round the exhibition stands where the students in different vocational clubs in the school showcased their products and crafts.

He lauded the college management for embracing Governor Eno’s ARISE Agenda by encouraging students to join vocational clubs in the college.

Some skills displayed by the students in various clubs included farming, carpentry, motor vehicles, electronics, electrical, catering, entrepreneurial development, welding, science fair club among others.

Items exhibited included electronic devices- fans, bulbs, amplifiers, lighting, metal doors, mini furniture, soaps, chalks, creams, vegetables, and pastries.

Also displayed were sundry mini – earthmoving vehicles, which the students used motorized devices to control.

However, Dr Ndueso who admired the skills of the young students, reiterated the premium the governor places on education and capacity enhancement, listing the Arise model schools, the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Center and the Ibom Leadership Entrepreneurial Programme as some of the platforms deliberately designed for growth and development of youths.