The Governor of Anambra state Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo has approved the incorporation of 5,000 youths currently undergoing training into corporative societies.
The Anambra State Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Patrick Agha-Mba made the statement during a Town Hall Meeting between Stakeholders and Community Leaders from Anambra North Senatorial Zone titled ‘Close the Gap Initiative’ held at Onitsha, Anambra State.
According to Agha-Mba, Soludo’s plan to create 1000 youth millionaires annually as stated in his manifesto is not a political statement, but a promise he is already fulfilling.
Mr Patrick Agha-Mba recalled how in the middle of last year 2022 when the pilot 1 Youth 2 Skill Solution Program registration began, he wrote to communities to let them know that they are part of the exercise and will provide employment to unemployed youths, but sadly, the number of communities that responded was only 60 out of 179 in the state.
According to the Commissioner, criminality, youth unemployment and restiveness take precedence over all other issues in Nigeria.
“Our Governor has taken a proactive approach to security. I must express my heartfelt gratitude to Governor Soludo for his efforts in security matters. This meeting is about how we will come together as one family with the government. Fortunately for me we began with communities, local governments, and state governments. I’ve worked in local government and now serve on the state executive council”, he said.
“I discovered a significant gap in community and local government. When the state government does something, we at the local level have no idea what is going on. We have overcome these obstacles and discovered a significant gap.
“In my action plan, we will bridge the gap by bringing together communities, stakeholders, and relevant stakeholders with the government. We are grassroot, and we must give back to the grassroot.
“We formed a group of young people to assist in the development of local structures and the implementation of our policies. We must communicate with the people! We also organized social media volunteers and awareness-raising volunteers”, he stressed.
Completing the pilot phase
Mr Agha-Mba who said the pilot arrangement has been tested and found to be functional, wants to complete the training pilot arrangements and move on to the first phase.
“We established catchment areas in Onitsha north and south, Nnewi north, Awka, Ekwulobia, and Idemmili,” he explained. “Our strategy is to send trainees to functional stop shops not only to learn a skill but also to be exposed to the business environment. Mr Governor has this on his agenda.
“Each initial phase, which has been tested within the ministry, is capable of producing 130,000 trainees and 3000 Master Trainers from various communities.
“I urge Traditional Rulers and Presidents-General to ensure every youth is engaged in their communities. You are the ones who will see that youths are involved,” he pleaded.
“Every empowered youth will proceed to the next phase, which is an entrepreneurship program. Following that, they will be eligible for business financing and mentoring for a year, following their training” he said.
Emmanuel Ukoh
