Education is Key, A'Ibom PDP Governorship Candidate Tells Youths

The governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State, Engr. Emem Coffie, has advised Nigerian youths to focus on education and skill development instead of chasing quick success. He believes both are important for career growth and the economy.

Coffie shared this message while talking to journalists on Wednesday. He warned that the idea that education is a waste of time could harm youth development. He emphasized that academic knowledge is essential for specialization and professional skills.

He mentioned that he has supported hundreds of students in Akwa Ibom State, Enugu, and Abuja as part of his promise to help young people.

According to him, education has significantly contributed to the growth of developed countries and should not be dismissed just because some successful people did not go to university.

Coffie highlighted that academic training is especially important in technical fields. Practical skills need to be backed by an understanding of scientific concepts.

He said, “The truth is that engineering is probably 90 percent from scientific theory and 10 percent empirical.

“The truth is that education has created a system and whether you like it or not the countries are developed today and worked with those systems and became what they are.

“If you want to be a robotics engineer for example you must have had an understanding of physics, chemistry, I don’t know biology has to do with medical engineering but for you to go into robotics you must have those basic understanding and then have mechanical engineering, electronics engineering, electrical engineering by the corner before you now begin to do robotics,” he said.

He called for changes that would help young people finish university faster and discover their talents without unnecessary delays.

Coffie added that university education should not be the only way to achieve success. He urged the government to promote vocational training, entrepreneurship, and other trades.

He stated, “I want to see a country where the youths are very specific in their achievements in where they are going.

“Everybody doesn’t need to go to university, that’s why we get everybody wrong, but whatever level, whatever trade you should apply, the government should support you, train you, and make you relevant.”

On the topic of jobs, the governorship candidate said there should be more investment in industries in Akwa Ibom. He mentioned that youths should be trained in areas related to industries that can be set up in the state.

He pointed out oil and gas, refineries, gas processing plants, and steel factories as sectors that could create jobs.

Coffie also suggested apprenticeship programs to prepare young people for work in these industries. He proposed providing financial support to them during their training.

“You begin to prepare them, empower them to program the way they will learn such skills, and within that period pay them, even if they are doing an apprenticeship scheme, pay them during that period so that you can encourage them to participate in such,” he said.

He pushed for support for small and medium enterprises, including offering affordable loans to help traders and entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

Coffie also suggested starting cottage industries in local government areas to create jobs, use local materials, and improve the income of residents.

He named palm oil processing and making briquettes from palm kernel waste as opportunities for small-scale businesses.

The engineer urged a return to Akwa Ibom’s original development plan. He wants future administrations to continue projects started by previous governments instead of abandoning them.

He mentioned the deep seaport, science park, airport, road network, and power plants as part of the state’s development plans.

Coffie, a civil engineer with about 35 years of experience, said that building roads alone cannot solve poverty without industries and businesses that can provide jobs and stable incomes.

He said his development plan, called “A New Drive Back to the Genesis,” will focus on human capital development, industrialization, skills training, and support for small businesses.

He stated, “When I say Genesis, let’s go back to that master plan and start to execute it all over again.

“Road construction is interesting but road construction does not put food on the table of people.