By Ifeoma Aniagbado :
Anambra State Government has flagged off a ‘One Youth Two Skills’ skill acquisition programme.
The flag off took place at the International Conference Centre (ICC) Awka, on October, 26.
The Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo while declaring the event open said that his administration would be engaging the Youths on a massive empowerment so that they can in turn contribute to increase the economy of the state through job creation.
He added that his administration has mapped ₦2.5 billion for the project and assured that after the training the participants would be funded so as to enable them startup businesses of their own in their various LGAs.
“This programme is for productive empowerment and my agenda is to have a one youth with two or more skills so that they can become employers of labour.’’
He added that his administration would help in building the Anambra youths for the future.
The Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Agha Mba in his speech said that the skills acquisition project was aimed at creating 1000 millionaires and 180,000 private sector jobs annually.
“The State Government targets about 5,000 beneficiaries for this programme which will be scaled up strategically in due course.’’
He commended the governor for his passion to develop Anambra youths, saying that the governor has granted approval to all the funds needed to execute the project and congratulated both the master trainers and trainees for being among those selected to benefit from the project.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Local Government Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr. Anthony Nwabunwanne said that the current administration is out to develop the youths in order to achieve a livable and prosperous Anambra state. He called on the youths to engage themselves in meaningful ventures.
One of the resource persons, Pastor Godswell Mba told master trainers that they are the key persons to the programme and advised the trainees to humble themselves before their mentors in order to acquire more knowledge. He urged them to use the empowerment money to do the needful.
Other resources persons, the Managing Director of Anambra State Small Business Agency (ASBA), Mr. Clem Chukwuma; the Chairman, Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) and SMEDAN, Mrs. Chito Onuzulike advised the youth not to disappoint the state government.
One of the participants from Nnewi North, Mr. Chinedu Ojukwu commended Gov. Soludo for including the development of Youths in his vision for the state; he promised to adopt all that has been taught them in the outline of the programme.
