Anambra, FG Set To Partner On Youth Empowerment
….We empowered 5000 Beneficiaries Under The “1 Youth 2 Skills Solution” Programme in 2023 - Youth Commissioner
By Ifeoma Aniagbado
In a significant stride toward youth empowerment, the Anambra Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Agha Mba and his team on January 24, engaged in a pivotal meeting with the Minister of State For Youth, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, at the Ministry in FCT Abuja.
The focus of the discussion was the exploration of collaboration with the federal government on the innovative "1 Youth 2 Skills" programme recently launched by Minister Olawande.
Already a success under the visionary administration of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo, the commissioner said that the "1 Youth 2 Skill Solution" was inaugurated in Anambra State in October 2022, marking a great step toward an evolutionary youth empowerment system in Nigeria.
According to him, the programme's primary mission is to create 1000 youth millionaires and massively generate private sector jobs annually in Anambra State, presenting a formidable strategy to combat youth unemployment while discouraging involvement in social vices that could compromise the state's security.
"Rooted in the age-old and highly rated Igbo Apprenticeship Model (Igba Boyi), the programme draws inspiration from a tradition that has produced successful entrepreneurs globally.
"1 Youth 2 Skills Solution has flourished under the current administration of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, graduating and empowering an impressive 5000 beneficiaries in 2023 alone, for business start up and business expansion in the N2 Billion - Business Financing Scheme of the programme.
"In addition to this, 20,000 youths of the state were also empowered with super-tech digital skills under Solution Innovation District (SID).
"1 Youth 2 Skills Solution, which is run through community-based approach, decentralizes youth empowerment, reaching beyond the state capital to involve various communities. The comprehensive model integrates Apprenticeship, Entrepreneurship, Cooperative Formation, Business Financing, a One-year Mentoring Scheme, and meticulous Monitoring and Evaluation at every stage, ensuring sustained impact."
He explained that the initiative's key mission is to foster smart entrepreneurs who are both economically productive and socially responsive. Leveraging apprenticeship and entrepreneurship models of training, it seeks to equip the youth with the skills needed for success in a competitive market.
According to him, Anambra State Government expresses a keen interest in aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's vision for youth development. Seeking collaboration with the federal government signifies a joint effort to combat youth restiveness, unemployment, and endemic poverty.
"In a progressive move toward modernization, the state government is actively working to digitize the learning process aimed at allowing beneficiaries to acquire skills from the comfort of their zones, making education more accessible and adaptable to the evolving digital landscape," Agha Mba noted.
The Minister of State For Youth, Mr. Olawande, expressed his sincere appreciation for the visit from Agha Mba, and his team.
He enthusiastically looked forward to fostering a collaborative partnership with Anambra State on youth development, aiming to scale up the impactful "1 Youth 2 Skills" program, citing that youth development and empowerment remained one of the topmost priorities of the President Tinubu Renewed Hope agenda.
*Ifeoma is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
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