Empowerment

Soludo Says Anambra Empowers 36,000 Youths With Skills

Published

9 months ago

January 23, 2026

Governor Chukwuma Soludo says Anambra has empowered over 36,000 youths through skills and grants under his youth-focused development agenda

The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has disclosed that his administration has empowered more than 36,000 youths across the state with critical skills, Awka, Friday, January 24, 2026.

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He described young people as the most valuable asset of any society and central to sustainable development.

Professor Soludo made the disclosure at the swearing-in and opening ceremony of the 2026 Batch A Stream One National Youth Service Corps orientation programme held at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Nnamdi Azikiwe Unity Camp, Mbaukwu Umuawulu, Awka South Local Government Area.

Represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Patrick Agha Mba, the governor said the youth-focused policies of the administration are anchored on Anambra Vision 2070, which seeks to build a prosperous, inclusive and smart society driven by innovation and productivity.

He said over 36,000 young people have already benefited from digital skills programmes, while the ongoing One Million Anambra Digital Tribe initiative targets the empowerment of one million youths with advanced digital competencies.

Professor Soludo noted that under the One Youth Two Skills Plus programme, the state has empowered 13,300 youths with vocational skills and disbursed grants worth N5.5 billion to support business start-ups and expansion, describing the intervention as a decisive investment in economic self-reliance.

He urged corps members deployed to the state to embrace the Anambra experience by learning, collaborating and contributing meaningfully to community development, rather than remaining passive observers throughout their service year.

The governor assured the corps members of the government’s commitment to continuously improving camp facilities to guarantee a safe, serene and enabling environment, while also urging respect for local culture, peacebuilding and responsible conduct.

He emphasised discipline as a defining value, stating that obedience to camp rules and active participation in orientation activities would shape the effectiveness of corps members during and beyond the service year.

Professor Soludo commended the leadership of the National Youth Service Corps at both national and state levels, describing the partnership with Anambra State as vital to grassroots development, public enlightenment, health outreach and youth mentoring.

Earlier, the Anambra State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs Pauline Ojisua, said a total of 1,500 prospective corps members, comprising 616 males and 884 females, were registered for the orientation exercise.

Mrs Ojisua urged the corps members to obey all extant laws, NYSC regulations and security directives, stressing that discipline remains the cornerstone of the scheme.

Also read: Lagos Assembly Defers LASPA GM Confirmation Over Irregularities

She added that the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme would equip corps members with practical tools for self-reliance, while all security, medical and administrative arrangements had been fully mobilised to ensure a successful orientation programme.

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State development

Bauchi Urges Girls to Pursue Education and Skilled Jobs

Published

2 days ago

October 26, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Bauchi girls’ education campaign urges students to complete school, learn vocational skills and pursue careers traditionally dominated by men

Girls in Bauchi State have been encouraged to complete their education, acquire vocational skills and pursue careers traditionally dominated by men as part of efforts to promote financial independence and reduce gender inequality.

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The call was made on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at an event in Bauchi to mark the International Day of the Girl Child.

The event was organised under the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership Project in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria, Azurfa Women and Youth Development Initiative, and Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative.

Speaking at the event, Mustapha Idris, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative, said the annual observance aimed to raise awareness of girls’ rights and promote their well-being.

He said the programme was designed to encourage girls to explore a wider range of professions and address gender disparities in the workplace.

Idris urged students to use their school holidays to learn practical skills, including shoemaking and soap production, which could help them earn an income and improve their economic prospects.

“Girls should not feel ashamed of learning a trade or engaging in legitimate businesses. These skills can provide them with sources of income, promote financial independence and reduce their reliance on others,” he said.

Monica Tanko, Executive Director of Azurfa Women and Youth Development Initiative, urged the girls to remain committed to their education and avoid leaving school before completing their studies.

She also encouraged them to develop practical skills alongside their formal education, saying the combination could help prepare them for future challenges and employment opportunities.

Tanko stressed the importance of self-reliance while encouraging the students to maintain their personal dignity as they pursued their ambitions.

Timothy Ibrahim, an engineer with more than 20 years of professional experience, encouraged the students to consider engineering and other professions in which women have traditionally been underrepresented.

He urged them not to allow gender stereotypes to discourage them from pursuing their interests, adding that girls could excel when they had access to opportunities, encouragement and support.

His message reinforced the event’s call for girls to look beyond occupations traditionally associated with women and explore careers across technical and professional fields.

The event was attended by female students from several schools in Bauchi metropolis, including Rafin Zurfi, Bakaro, Unguwar Doya, Gudun Sayawa and the Federal Government Girls’ College.

The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually on October 11 to promote girls’ rights and draw attention to challenges affecting their development.

The Bauchi event used the occasion to highlight the importance of education, vocational training and access to a wider range of career opportunities.

The organisers’ message was that empowering girls requires more than keeping them in school.

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Access to practical skills, supportive role models and opportunities to enter different professions can also help young women build greater economic independence and participate more fully in their communities.