Imo Assembly wants Technical Colleges rehabilitated in Imo

Austin Okoro DDM NEWS

As unemployment and poverty rise higher, Imo state House of Assembly has moved to tackle the unemployment menace and urged government to rehabilitate Technical Colleges.

The House noted that through Technical Colleges, the youths will acquire skills that would enable them to be self reliant thereby reducing unemployment and crime.

This was disclosed In a statement from the media unit of the Assembly on Wednesday 12th March 2025 by Citizen Samuelson Iwuoha.

He states: “In a bid to bridge the gap between education and employment, creating job opportunities, as well as promoting self reliance, the Imo State House Of Assembly has urged the Imo State Government to rehabilitate and equip technical colleges in the state.

Moving the Motion during Plenary on Wednesday 12th March 2025, the Member Representing Mbaitoli State Constituency, Hon Engr Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie explained that over 50% of Secondary School graduates no longer further their education, perhaps, due to lack of interest, lack of funds and challenging demands of the society etc, which have given rise to insecurity and crime.

According to the Mbaitoli lawmaker, there are many existing Technical Colleges in the state, but they suffer from poor infrastructure, lack of modern tools, inadequate qualified instructors and low students enrollment, due to years of neglect.

He further observed that youths want short route to success without paying attention to the empowerment and self-reliance which the attendance of a Technical college assures.

In his words, Hon Ikpamezie, who is also the House Committee Chairman On Environment, said, “when you attend Technical College, you don’t need to wait for government job.

Rather, you automatically become self employed. Our youths want the short cut, forgetting that the best shortcut is technical education.

Even if you don’t want to go to university, by attending technical college, you will be creating jobs for other people, as it plays crucial role in national development by producing skilled manpower in areas such as motor-vehicle mechanics, carpentry, refrigeration and air conditioning, electronics repairs, fabrication and welding, electrical installation, mechanical works, building and concreting, etc”.*

While commending Governor Hope Uzodimma for embracing development in the state, the vibrant voice from Mbaitoli stated that it is the duty of lawmakers to assist the Governor to speed up development and progress of the State through impactful Motions, Bills and other Legislative activities.

To this, he added, *”a dedicated training facility for technical teachers will increase qualified instructors, provision of hostel facilities in technical colleges will improve access to technical education for students from rural and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, provision of modern equipment and tool to upgrade the said schools and introducing a scholarship scheme will encourage enrollment to the technical colleges”.*

Naming some of the existing Technical Colleges in the state, Hon Ikpamezie further explained that, *” the rehabilitation and equipping of Ahiara Technical College, Government Technical College, Osu Technical College and Okporo Technical College, will bridge the gap between education and employment, creating job opportunities and promoting self-reliance”.*

The Motion which received popular support during debate, was seconded by the Member Representing Nkwerre State Constituency, Hon Barrister Chisom Ojukwu, and was co-sponsored by the following lawmakers :

1. Rt Honourable Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu.

2. Hon Bernard Ndubuisi Ozoemelam.

3. Hon Emeka Kingsley Ozurumba.

4. Hon Ozioma Worship Ebonine.

5. Hon Chisom Ojukwu.

6. Rt Honourable Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh.

7. Hon Chigozie Nwaneri.

8. Hon Dominic Ugochukwu Ezerioha.

9. Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi.

The following lawmakers supported the Motion :

1. Hon Barrister Chisom Ojukwu (Nkwerre).

2. Hon Engr Johnson Iheonukara Duru (Ideato South).

3. Hon Okey Ernest Udeze (Ideato-North).

4. Hon Chief Ozioma Worship Ebonine (Njaba)

5. Hon Kelechi Onumajuru Ofurum (Owerri-North).

6. Hon Sam Ikechukwu Osuji (Isiala Mbano).

7. Rt Honourable Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh (Obowo).

8. Hon Barrister Emeka Kingsley Ozurumba (Isu).

9. Hon Barrister Dominic Ugochukwu Ezerioha (Oru-West).

10. Hon Chief Kanayo Onyemaechi, Majority Leader (Owerri-west).

11. Hon Princewill Ugochukwu Amuchie, Minority Leader (Aboh-Mbaise).

12. Hon Dr Uzoma Francis Osuoha (Ohaji-Egbema).

In their respective submissions, they commended the mover of the Motion for coming out with what they termed *”solution and cure to all the social ailments confronting the society”*, noting that most youths have been brainwashed into the easy ways of making money, hence some of them look down on Technical and Skill Acquisitions, which is the missing link to solve the issue of insecurity.

The supporting lawmakers therefore called for the rehabilitation and equipping of existing Technical Colleges, so as to serve as youth training grounds for tomorrow’s challenges, and also be an added assistance to Governor Hope Uzodimma’s Skill-up programme in the state.

The lawmakers called for the reintroduction of the subject *INTRO-TECH (Introduction To Technology)* in schools and equally suggested that private investors should be encouraged, as government, alone, cannot do everything for the state.

Impressed with the superlative submissions of his Honourable Colleagues, the Speaker, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, who presided, put it to vote and it was unanimously adopted. Thereafter, he Ruled as follows :

Be It Resolved By This Honourable House To Urge His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma CON, Governor of Imo State, through the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Tertiary and Technical Education to :

1. Rehabilitate and upgrade all Technical Colleges in Imo State, providing them with modern equipment, functional workshops and well-trained Instructors.

2. Introduce Hostel facilities in existing Technical Colleges to encourage students from all parts of the State to enroll.

3. Provide stipends or financial support to students pursuing Technical Education, thereby encouraging enrollment and reducing dropout rates

4. Advocate for strong partnerships between Technical Colleges and Private Industries, to facilitate internships and employment opportunities for graduates of this scheme.

The Clerk was directed to communicate the Resolution of the House to His Excellency, the Governor,” Iwuoha reiterated.

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