Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, said the state government’s decision to cancel recent employment approved by former Governor Nyesom Wike at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education was due to irregularities associated with the process.

Fubara said the employment of 1,900 persons, out of which 123 were academic staff, contravened earlier approval of 420 academic staff out of 867 persons.

Recall that the employment nullification had been criticised by residents. The governor, who gave the explanation at Government House, Port Harcourt, while addressing the state chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), during a courtesy visit, promised to revisit the process.

He said: “We are going to revisit the process. It will strictly be based on the initial approval, ensuring that the academic staff members are more. We must give our people the best. The decision is in the best interest of the state, especially the future of our state.”

Fubara, in a statement by his Special Assistant on media, assured of his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment and development of the state.

He cautioned the youths against operating in splinters, noting that they could only get government’s support when they work in unity.

The governor added: “We are working with three foreign companies that would bring in a few investments. By the time they are established, including agricultural projects, youth restiveness would reduce to the barest minimum.”

Earlier in his address, the Chairman, NYCN, Rivers State chapter, Chijioke Ihunwo, said the visit was to congratulate the governor on his electoral victory and the appointment of a youth activist, Chisom Gbali, as Commissioner for Youth Affairs in the state.

He also appealed that the state government should reconsider the nullification of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education recent employment, as it affected many youths in the state. (The Guardian, excluding headline)

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