The Rivers State Government has inaugurated an Adolescent and Young People Innovation Hub in Fimie, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, aimed at empowering youths with relevant skills and reducing unemployment across the state.
Commissioning the facility, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, said the initiative reflects Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s commitment to addressing youth unemployment, skills gaps, and social vulnerabilities through practical, youth-centred programmes.
She described the hub as a long-term investment in the future of Rivers State, noting that adolescents and young people make up a significant portion of the population.
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According to Oreh, the innovation hub goes beyond conventional skills acquisition by creating opportunities for self-reliance, restoring dignity, and nurturing hope among young people.
She stressed that beneficiaries would leave the centre equipped with marketable skills and the confidence to contribute meaningfully to society.
The project is being implemented in collaboration with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Nigeria, through the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, with support from Project Hope.
Chief Operating Officer of IHVN, Dr Charles Olalekan-Mensah, explained that participants would be enrolled in batches of 50 for six-month intensive training programmes.
He said the training would cover areas such as web design, entrepreneurship, culinary services, robotics, makeup artistry, application development, and vocational life skills.
He added that the facility is equipped with modern infrastructure, including a fully functional kitchen and a robotics laboratory, and is designed to produce graduates who can train others within their communities.
Also speaking, Project Hope’s Programme and Operations Manager, Mrs Adeola Seweje, commended the Rivers State Government and the Fimie community for their support, which ensured the timely completion of the project.
The Amayanabo of Fimie Kingdom, Dr Bernard Fimie, thanked the state government and its partners for siting the hub in his domain and urged youths to take full advantage of the opportunity, describing the centre as a catalyst for community development and youth empowerment in Rivers State.