Government House, owerri
Imo State is to benefit from a program that would train thousands of students while offering them a guaranteed employment in the fields of
hotel management and tourism. Already Governor Rochas Okorocha has
approved an MOU signed with the Miami-Dade University in Florida for
the take off of the program to be sited in the Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo, and the Imo College of Advanced Professional Studies (ICAPS).
Speaking while witnessing the signing ceremony in Florida, Gov.
Okorocha said the action was part of a comprehensive plan to
re-position the state as a tourism destination and give the youths
more opportunities to secure their future and get them off the
streets. He said the construction of three five star hotels in Owerri,
Orlu and Okigwe, which would help develop and open up the new cities,
would provide employment opportunities for youths who would graduate
from the institution.
“At the moment, Owerri lack standard hotels and
no city can truly develop without five star hotels that would attract
foreigners and impact positively on the local economy”. Gov. Okorocha
stated that students should be given the opportunities to broaden
their skills and education away from the traditional curriculum that
emphasizes on office oriented jobs. “we are endowed by God as a
hospitable people and must take advantage of this blessing to move our
state forward. I am satisfied that this institution will help us
achieve our goals of first class service in our first class hotels in
a first class city that Owerri would soon become”.
The MOU which had already received the endorsement of former American
President Jimmy Carter when he received Gov. Okorocha in his office
commits the university to provide training to youths in various areas
of hotel management and operation, including catering and customer
service. President Carter had Carter earlier commended Gov. Okorocha
for his achievements in education and poverty alleviation. The
American leader spoke of his admiration for Gov. Okorocha,s people’s
oriented projects urged him not to relent on his efforts to guarantee
the future of the youths. “I have closely watched the activities and
achievements of this governor since he assumed power about 15 months
ago and i am impressed at the spread of his work that has touched all
areas, especially his free education policy to the university level”.
President Carter said that education is the only tool that could make
the youths productive members of the society. “I have always been an
advocate for youth education and empowerment and through the Carter
Center have done a lot in achieving this objective. I see in this
young governor a kindred spirit of love for service to the poor”. He
said a partnership being worked out with the federal government for
the training of medical workers could benefit Imo State. The Rector of
Imo Polytechnic Rev. Wence Madu who signed on behalf of the government
said the program would make it easier for young people to become self
employed or sought after by operators of the hospitality industry. He
said the institution is also looking at establishing a fish farm not
to just to provide the protein needs of the people but to it’s revenue
generation. Gov. Okorocha was awarded a golden key into the city of
Miami at the ceremony.
–
Chinedu Offor
Commissioner for Information and Strategy
