The Anambra State Government has approved the release of the sum of N2,835,150,000 for the empowerment of youths to be trained in various skills.
The approval was granted during the 15th Anambra State Executive Council meeting, held at the Light House in Awka, Anambra State.
The skills acquisition programme, now in its second batch and codenamed “One Youth Two Skills,” is a scheme designed to train young people in the state, with each participant acquiring two skills. Upon completion, beneficiaries are provided with seed capital to establish their own businesses.
In a press statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, the council stated that an assessment of the first cohort of One Youth Two Skills indicated it was a success, and that the government is committed to ensuring the second cohort is even more impactful.
The statement read: “The 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 Umuboi (apprentices) from the Local Enterprise Development of 21 local governments in the state were successful.
“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 commissioning.”
Explaining the breakdown of the N2.8 billion approved, Mefor stated that the council authorised the release of N2,835,150,000 for the various components of the programme.
These include N2,588,520,000 for the One Youth Two Skills business financing scheme; N141,900,000 for the One Youth Two Skills cooperatives start-up; N73,230,000 for graduation and certification; N31,000,000 for the One Youth Two Skills mentorship scheme; and N500,000 as a consolation to a bereaved family.
Mefor added that the council also awarded other contracts, including the Awka City Park Project, which is intended to provide environmental, aesthetic, and recreational benefits to the Awka capital city, in addition to delivering social, health, and economic advantages.
He noted that work on the Awka City Park project had already commenced.
