Oil Exploration: Gov Yahaya tasks Gombe varsity on manpower devt
Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has urged the Gombe State University to introduce programmes to fast track training of skilled manpower needed for Kolmani oil field and other prospective industries.
Yahaya gave the charge on Saturday at the 4th Combined Convocation of the University.
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He said that it was imperative to train the required manpower to effectively man the emerging industries in view of the level of economic development witnessed in the state.
“We live in a rapidly changing world, for our universities to succeed, they must adopt to these changes.
“Over the past few years, we have seen Gombe State gradually being transformed into the economic powerhouse of the Northeast sub region.
“With the commencement of oil exploitation at Kolmani, the industrial transformation of Gombe State through the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park and our industrial drive in many areas, there is a need for the university to introduce new programmes.
“This is in order to meet the skills requirement in those emerging sectors,” he said.
The governor said that he was of the funding challenges facing the university to facilitate expansion of existing infrastructure to accommodate increasing demand for higher education and other demands.
The governor reitrated commitment to address the challenges to enhance delivery of quality education and achieve academic excellence.
He enjoined the management of the institution to initiate innovative ways, build partnerships and improve revenue base to meet its obligations.
On hike in school fees, Yahaya said the increase in fees in some tertiary institutions across the country had put higher education beyond the reach of the common man.
“I will like to assure you, we are going to ensure that Gombe State University tuition fee remain within affordable limits.
“The university and other tertiary institutions needed sound education background for secondary schools to help them build and develop them into world class graduates, my administration has improved the quality of education at all levels”.
He said the education reform programme initiated by his administration had improved students’ performances in external examinations from 28 per cent in 2019 to 73 and 78 per cent in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
Yahaya further lauded the University for its contributions towards the development of the society, adding that, “since its establishment, it played key role in shaping the minds of its graduates”.
The Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar III, congratulated the management of the institution for working towards improving tertiary education in the state.
Shehu-Abubakar, who is also the Chancellor of the University, admonished parents to send their wards to school to enable them to acquire quality education.
The royal father said that such education would help them to contribute towards the progress and development of the country.
On his part, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Aliyu Elnafaty congratulated the 5,944 graduates, and enjoined them to contribute positively to the development of the country.
