By Abiodun JIMOH
In a bold stride toward youth empowerment and economic transformation, Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has officially commenced the disbursement of empowerment funds to young entrepreneurs in Awka North and Awka South Local Government Areas under the One-Youth-Two-Skills Plus Programme.
The initiative, one of the governor’s flagship youth development schemes, is designed to equip young people across Anambra State with both vocational and digital skills to make them self-reliant, innovative, and productive members of society.
At Achalla, headquarters of Awka North, the event was coordinated by the Managing Director of the Anambra State Social and Civic Reformation Office, Mr. Chuka Nnabuife, who represented the governor. He described the programme as a life-changing opportunity that would empower participants to build sustainable businesses and contribute meaningfully to the state’s economy.
In Awka South, the exercise was overseen by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Development, Mr. Emeka Omata, who urged the beneficiaries to put the funds to good use, stressing that the programme was not a “dash” but an investment in their future.
“The governor has given you a seed; it is now your duty to nurture it into a tree that will feed others,” Omata advised.
Among the beneficiaries were Mrs. Nkechi Menkiti, trained in bakery and confectionery, who received ₦380,000 to expand her business; Mr. Nkemjika Udegbunam and Mr. Ejike Olutum, both trained in rice farming and processing, received ₦350,000 each. These funds, they said, would enable them to increase production and create more employment opportunities in their communities.
Similarly, the beneficiaries in Awka South included Chimaoge Enekwechi from Nise, Antonia Onyemobi from Imo State, and Chisom Onyekwuba, who have already begun transforming their training into thriving enterprises, employing fellow youths and supporting local economic growth.
This disbursement comes on the heels of Governor Soludo’s approval of a ₦3.5 billion startup grant for over 8,300 graduates of the One-Youth-Two-Skills Plus Programme. The announcement was made during the grand graduation ceremony held last month, marking a major milestone in the governor’s youth transformation agenda.
Speaking on the impact of the initiative, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Aghamba, praised Governor Soludo’s vision and commitment to youth inclusion and empowerment, describing the scheme as “a practical solution to unemployment and idleness among youths.”
Also, the Chairman of the Scheme, Professor Chinedu Onyeizugbe, revealed that participation in the programme had increased by 48 percent, a clear indicator of the scheme’s growing popularity and success. He further suggested that the One-Youth-Two-Skills model be adopted as a case study for youth empowerment across Nigeria.
The initiative forms part of a wider network of youth-centered programmes introduced by the Soludo administration, including Code Anambra—a digital skills and coding initiative—and the One Million Digital Tribe, which equips youths with ICT knowledge and provides laptops and employment opportunities to graduates.
With these programmes running simultaneously, Governor Soludo’s vision of transforming Anambra into a “liveable and prosperous smart megacity” appears to be steadily taking shape—driven by empowered youths who are not just job seekers, but job creators.
