Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo has begun the disbursement of empowerment funds to participants in the One-Youth-Two-Skills Plus scheme in Awka North and Awka South Local Government Areas of Anambra State. The initiative aims to support young entrepreneurs and strengthen small businesses across the state.
In Awka North LGA, the beneficiaries received their empowerment funds at an event held in Achalla, supervised by the Managing Director of the Anambra State Social and Civic Reformation Office, Mr. Chuka Nnabuife. He described the disbursement as “a continuation of Governor Soludo’s vision to make Anambra a hub of productive youth innovation and enterprise.”
The exercise in Awka South LGA was coordinated by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Development, Mr. Emeka Omata. He urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the funds, adding that “the One-Youth-Two-Skills Plus programme is designed to help young people turn their training into viable businesses that contribute to the economy.”
Among the beneficiaries were Mrs. Nkechi Menkiti, who was trained in bakery and confectionery and received N380,000; Nkemjika Udegbunam, trained in rice farming and processing, who got N350,000; and Ejike Olutum, also trained in rice farming and processing, who received N350,000.
In Awka South, other recipients included Chimaoge Enekwechi from Nise, Antonia Onyemobi from Imo State, and Chisom Onyekwuba. They have successfully used their acquired skills to establish businesses that now create jobs and wealth for other indigenes.
The disbursement follows the governor’s earlier approval of a N3.5 billion startup grant for more than 8,300 beneficiaries of the empowerment scheme, announced during their graduation ceremony last month.
Anambra State Commissioner for Youth Development, Patrick Aghamba, praised the governor for “actualising a project that transforms lives.” The Chairman of the scheme, Professor Chinedu Onyeizugbe, confirmed a 48 percent increase in participation, describing the initiative as “a model for scholars and Anambra youths.”
The training programmes under the governor’s youth development strategy include the One-Youth-Two-Skill initiative, Code Anambra for digital skills, and the One Million Digital Tribe project, which provide participants with employment and laptops to enhance productivity.