Coffie Urges Nigerian Youths to Prioritise Education, Skills Acquisition

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Engr. Emem Coffie, has urged Nigerian youths to resist the growing temptation to abandon education in pursuit of quick wealth, stressing that knowledge and skills remain critical to career development and national growth.

Coffie, a civil engineer with about 35 years of professional experience, spoke with journalists on Wednesday while outlining his vision for youth development, education and industrialisation in Akwa Ibom State.

He warned that the perception that education is a waste of time could have serious consequences for the future of young Nigerians, noting that academic training provides the foundation for professional specialisation and competence.

The governorship candidate, who said he had sponsored hundreds of students in Akwa Ibom, Enugu and Abuja, explained that his investment in education was driven by his conviction that young people require the right foundation and support to discover their talents, acquire relevant skills and become self-reliant.

According to him, the development of advanced countries demonstrates the importance of education and structured training, adding that the success of individuals who did not attend university should not be used as a reason to discourage young people from acquiring formal education.

He said academic training was particularly important in technical professions, where practical experience must be supported by a strong understanding of scientific principles.

Using robotics as an example, Coffie explained that young people seeking to specialise in emerging technologies must first acquire a solid grounding in basic sciences and relevant engineering disciplines.

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

He added that a prospective robotics engineer would need knowledge of subjects such as physics and chemistry, as well as foundations in mechanical, electrical and electronics engineering, before specialising in robotics.

Coffie called for reforms that would enable young Nigerians to complete their education early, identify their talents and begin specialising in their chosen careers without unnecessary delays.

He argued that early identification of talent would help young people establish themselves professionally sooner and reduce the tendency for graduates to spend years searching for direction after completing their education.

The PDP candidate, however, stressed that university education should not be regarded as the only pathway to success.

“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,” he said.

He urged governments to provide structured support for vocational training, entrepreneurship and other trades, arguing that young people should be equipped with the skills, tools and resources required to become economically independent rather than depend on politicians for financial assistance.

Coffie said education and skills acquisition must be matched with deliberate industrialisation policies capable of creating jobs for trained young people.

He called for greater investment in industries in Akwa Ibom State, particularly sectors where the state has the potential to develop a strong workforce and attract investment.

He identified oil and gas, refineries, gas processing facilities and steel production as areas with potential to generate employment and stimulate economic activity.

According to him, apprenticeship programmes should be introduced to prepare young people for employment in such industries, with trainees receiving financial support throughout 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.

The governorship candidate also advocated stronger support for small and medium-scale enterprises, including access to affordable credit for traders and entrepreneurs seeking to expand their businesses.

He proposed the establishment of cottage industries across the state’s local government areas to create employment, process locally available raw materials and increase the incomes of residents.

Among the opportunities he identified were palm oil processing and the production of briquettes from palm kernel waste, which he said could provide a foundation for small-scale industrial development.

Coffie also called for a return to what he described as Akwa Ibom’s original development master plan, arguing that successive administrations should build on projects initiated by previous governments rather than abandon them when political leadership changes.

He cited the deep seaport, science park, airport, road network and power plants among projects he said were associated with the state’s long-term development plans.

According to him, Akwa Ibom needs to revisit its original development priorities and pursue projects capable of creating sustainable economic opportunities for its people.

He argued that road construction, while important, could not by itself solve unemployment and poverty without industries and businesses capable of providing jobs and sustainable incomes.

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

Coffie said his proposed development agenda, “A New Drive Back to the Genesis,” would focus on human capital development, industrialisation, skills acquisition and support for small businesses.

“When I say Genesis, let’s go back to that master plan and start to execute it all over again,” he said, outlining his vision of a development strategy centred on creating opportunities for residents to acquire skills, secure jobs and build sustainable livelihoods.

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