Prof. Ibe offers scholarships to Youths in Abia Skills Gap

Professor Gregory Ibe, the Chancellor of Gregory University Uturu (GUU), has lamented the sad scarcity of skilled professionals in key professions in Abia State.

The unfavorable condition, according to the famous professor of entrepreneurial science, who also serves as the director of research and development for the Abia Elders Council, poses a significant threat to the state’s growth and wholesome development.

Prof. Ibe told journalists on the 30th anniversary of Abia State’s founding that the gaps caused by the lack of these experts in the Abia workforce had the potential to stifle rapid growth and prevent the achievement of future social goals.

“In the course of my duties as Abia Elders Council’s director of research and development, I recently observed the apparent lack of a good stock of professionally trained Abians in such critical careers as Petroleum Engineering, Physiotherapy, Radiology, Public Health Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Physical and Health Science, Insurance, Theatre Arts, and Mass Communication,” he said.

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Prof Ibe claims that this revelation has influenced his choice to use this year’s grant of his yearly scholarship scheme to begin the process of repairing the career shortfall he has identified.

“In order to begin the process of reversing the potential negative effects of the current unfortunate situation of existing yawning gaps in the data bank of certain needed trained professionals on our labor demography in the future, I have directed our Scholarship Board to offer tuition-free education in Gregory University Uturu to desire Abia youths from the 17 Local Government Councils during the academic year.

As a result, he urged Abia youngsters to take advantage of the opportunity to acquire skill sets that will not only set them apart but also make them relevant to societal demands.

It will be recalled that the Prof Gregory Ibe Scholarship Board had previously provided many youths with tuition-free education awards, culminating in the extension of similar grants to 150 indigent people from the state’s seventeen Local Government Councils during the 2020/2021 academic session, who are currently studying various courses at Gregory University Uturu.