8,300 Anambra Youths Graduate from ‘1Youth2Skills’ Programme, Share N3.5bn Empowerment Grant

No fewer than 8,300 youths have graduated from the second batch of Anambra State’s 1Youth2Skills plus programme, with N3.5 billion disbursed as empowerment grants to support their business ventures. The initiative, launched in 2022 under Governor Chukwuma Soludo, trains young people in sectors such as agriculture, ICT, fashion, crafts, and services, in line with the governor’s vision of producing 1,000 youth millionaires annually.

Speaking at the graduation in Awka, Soludo described the scheme as a sustainable form of “stomach infrastructure,” adding that additional funds have been set aside through the Anambra Small Business Agency for loans. Officials noted that the programme is growing in impact, with many beneficiaries already becoming employers of labour.

No fewer than 8,300 youths across Anambra State have graduated from the second batch of the state government’s ‘1Youth2Skills plus’ programme, thereby benefitting from the N3.5 billion disbursed as an empowerment grant under the scheme.

The ‘1Youth2Skills’ programme is a capacity-building workshop that trains youth in various areas such as agriculture, ICT, fashion, crafts, services, cake making, and other sectors.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony held at the International Convention Centre, Awka, on Tuesday, the Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, said N3.5billion was set aside as an empowerment grant to support their business dreams.

He recalled that the programme, launched in October 2022, was in line with his manifesto promise of raising 1,000 youth millionaires annually and described the programme as “stomach infrastructure on a sustainable basis”.

According to him, over 183,000 applications were received, adding that the initiative is revolutionising youth empowerment in Nigeria, focusing on productive, innovative, and export-driven ventures.

He added that some funds running into billions of naira have equally been set aside for the Anambra Small Business Agency, to give loans to interested beneficiaries.

He said, “Today, I celebrate the graduation of 8,300 young men and women from the second batch of our ‘1Youth2Skills plus’ programme.

“This initiative is revolutionising youth empowerment in Nigeria, focusing on productive, innovative, and export-driven ventures.

“We have disbursed N3.5billion in grants to support their business dreams. Our goal is to make Anambra the skill hub of Sub-Saharan Africa.

“To our graduands, I say: start small, start now, think big! You have been equipped with the skills, funding, and mentorship. Now it’s your turn to shine!

“I am excited to see the impact you will make in our state and beyond. Congratulations. May Anambra continue to win!”

The Commissioner for Youth Development, Patrick Aghamba, expressed delight that the programme is growing from strength to strength, stating that it is already transforming the lives and destinies of thousands of youths.

The Chairman, OneYouthTwoSkills Entrepreneurship Scheme, Prof. Chinedu Onyeizugbe, who spoke earlier, said the programme recorded a 48 per cent increase, proposed it as a model to all scholars and practitioners, adding that each graduation ceremony is a move towards realising the vision where every Anambra youth is well equipped with the requisite skills for their survival.

Some of the beneficiaries testified that the programme has benefited them in becoming employers of labour.