The Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has commissioned a new Innovation Hub Centre aimed at equipping young people with entrepreneurial, digital, and vocational skills to drive economic growth and self-reliance.

The facility was inaugurated in the Fimie-Ama community of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, according to a statement released on Monday via the state government’s official X (formerly Twitter) account.

Representing the state government at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, said the centre was established to serve adolescents and young people across Rivers State, providing them with tools to improve their livelihoods and future prospects.

She urged beneficiaries to take full advantage of the hub’s offerings, stressing the importance of informed life choices and active participation in the state’s socio-economic development.

The innovation hub is equipped with ICT and robotics laboratories, app development and media studios, beauty and vocational training spaces, as well as wellness and counselling services, creating a comprehensive environment for skills development and personal growth.

Oreh explained that the project was delivered through a partnership between the Rivers State Government, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), with additional support from Project Hope.

Speaking at the commissioning, IHVN Chief Operating Officer, Charles Mensah, described the hub as a platform that would unlock new opportunities and foster innovation among young people.

Similarly, CDC Country Director, Meghna Desai, said the centre would help beneficiaries acquire critical entrepreneurial and technical skills, reducing vulnerability and promoting economic independence.

The commissioning comes two months after Governor Fubara reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth development, as part of broader efforts to invest in human capital and deliver sustainable development across Rivers State.