By Daniel Amarachi

The Enugu State Government is collaborating with the first Science and Technology University in Nigeria, the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) to equip Enugu students with skills to enable them self-reliant after graduation with a view to making them more using in a changing world of digital economy.

The State Commissioner for Labour and Employment, Hon. Chika Ugwuoke, disclosed this during a visit to the ESUT Vice-Chancellor, Prof Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, on Thursday in Agbani.

The visit comes ahead of a planned Career and Employability Summit for Enugu state students in their third years. In the meeting were the VC, Prof Okolie, the Director of Entrepreneurship Development, ESUT, Prof Uche Ugwuanyi, the Head of Department of Labour in the ministry.

The commissioner said the purpose of the visit was to chart a partnership path for realignment of academic activities to equip Enugu indigenes in ESUT with skills that would be fit for purpose in the 21st century upon graduation.

The partnership, he explained, centre on the areas of technology and digital economy aimed at reducing unemployment and youths restiveness in the state

He described ESUT and tertiary institutions as the hope for a productive workforce to compliment Gov. Peter Mbah’s developmental goals.

The Commissioner who commended the transformation agenda of the Vice Chancellor in less than two years in office said it is in line with the plans of Gov. Mbah’s government He enumerated achievements recorded by the new government with 180 days in office to include skills acquisition by students, career guidance, internships and placements, research and development support and the promotion of employability skills.

He later inspected the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences under construction in the campus, a project that was resurrected by Okolie.

Earlier, Prof Okolie who expressed delight over the meeting praised the Commissioner for the disposition he’s adopting and offered to give 100 per cent support to the state government in any area when called upon.

The vice-Chancellor expressed his eagerness to partner with the ministry and called for a structured action plan to guide both sides in delivering the need leadership for the people.