Anambra to Empower 8,300 Youths with N3.5 Billion in Second Batch of ‘1Youth2Skills Plus’

The Anambra State Government has concluded arrangements to support 8,300 youths with N3.5 billion under the second phase of its ‘1Youth2Skills Plus’ programme.

Mr. Patrick Aghamba, the state Commissioner for Youth Development, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Awka.

He said the financial package is intended to help beneficiaries establish and expand businesses after completing entrepreneurial and vocational training.

“The graduation and empowerment ceremony is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 23, at the International Conference Centre, Awka. The Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, will personally hand over the financial support packages to the beneficiaries,” Aghamba said.

He added that the governor will also unveil additional initiatives designed to foster a new generation of millionaires and smart entrepreneurs in the state.

The commissioner noted that the first batch of the programme empowered 5,000 youths, providing N2 billion in financial support alongside mentorship and cooperative assistance.

“In this second phase, the government has expanded the initiative to ensure more youths are included and adequately supported in their entrepreneurial pursuits,” Aghamba said.

He emphasized the administration’s goal of making Anambra a centre of innovation, productivity, and prosperity.

“We appreciate the governor for sustaining this revolutionary investment in the future of Anambra youths. I urge the beneficiaries to see the support not as a handout but as a challenge to innovate, grow, and become job creators for multiplier effects across the state,” he added.

The ‘1Youth2Skills’ programme provides capacity-building workshops in areas such as agriculture, ICT, fashion, crafts, services, and cake making.

In a related development, the state government announced last week plans to construct another airport at Ndikelionwu in Orumba North Local Government Area, less than four years after opening the Chinua Achebe International Cargo Airport in Umeri.