Anambra govt approves N2.8bn for empowerment of trained youths

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By Madu Obi

The Anambra State government has approved the release of the sum of N2,835,150,000 for the empowerment of youths trained in various skills.

The approval was made during the 15th Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) meeting, held at the Light House in Awka, Anambra State.

The skills acquisition programme, which is in its second batch and codenamed 'One Youth Two Skills', is a scheme whereby each youth learns two skills, after which the beneficiaries are empowered with seed capital to start their own businesses.

The state Commissioner for information, Dr Law Mefor, said the assessment of the first batch of the trained youths showed that it was a success, adding that government is set to make the second cohort even better.

He said: "The State Executive Council has reviewed the success of Cohort 1 of the Soludo administration's flagship youth empowerment program.

7,163 out of 11,000 trainees excelled in 65 skill areas. Additionally, 235 apprentices from the local enterprise development of 21 local governments in the state were successful."

According to him, over 1,000 millionaires emerged from the graduates of the first cohort, and funds for the empowerment of Cohort 2 have been approved, and ready for release.

Mefor said that altogether, the council approved the release of a total of N2,835,150,000 allocated for the projects. The details, he added, include; N2,588,520,000 for One Youth Two Skills business financing scheme, N141,900,000 for One Youth Two Skills cooperatives start-up, N73,230,000 for graduation and certification, N31,000,000 for One Youth Two Skills mentorship scheme and N500,000 for consolation to a deceased family.

Mefor said the council also awarded other contracts, including the Awka City Park project to provide environmental, aesthetic, and recreational benefits to the Awka capital city, along with social, health, and economic benefits, explaining that work on the Awka City Park project has already commenced.