ANAMBRA YOUTHS ARE SET FOR MASSIVE EMPOWERMENT AS UNDP PARTNERS WITH MINISTRY OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

All is now set for Youths of Anambra State to benefit from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) sponsored SME start-up/expansion project. The business financing programme, which will involve the disbursement of a grant of ₦100,000 to 10,000 SMEs, also incorporates mentorship and coaching of the SMEs for higher productivity. Speaking on the programme, the UNDP Team Lead, Mrs. Joycee Oburu stated that the ultimate goal of the project is to enhance the youths with Business Startup/expansion plans not just to compete in the State but in the country and globally.

She also stated that apart from undergoing training and mentorship to ensure that they maximize the grants for business growth, they will also be exposed to the international market. According to her, they decided to identify with the Ministry of Youth, because 65% of the SMEs are associated with the youths, she therefore requested the support of the Ministry for the success of the project.

Responding to them, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Patrick Agha Mba welcomed the UNDP Team and also thanked the Governor of Anambra Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo for creating the right environment that is conducive for reputable agencies like UNDP to work in Anambra State through his integrity and credibility in management of resources. He said that the target of Mr. Governor as captured in his Manifesto is raising 1000 youth Millionaires and creating 130 private sector jobs annually in Anambra State. He stated that the Governor is very intentional in attracting investors to the State by building massive road infrastructure and creating an enabling environment to ensure that the private sector thrives in the State.

He further stated that this is the first time in the history of the State, a Youth from the youth family was appointed to lead the Ministry of Youth Development, which is an indication that the Governor of the State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo is determined to change the narratives and move youth development to the next level. He also stated that the youths of Ndi Anambra are experiencing the positive impact of programmes and are happy for that singular decision by Mr Governor

The commissioner went further to state that since assumption in office, the Ministry of Youth Development has set the motion for strategic partnership with relevant agencies like UNICEF, NASME, SMEDAN and ITF in order to ensure that policy formulation and implementation for youth development is properly articulated and executed. He enumerated the key programmes of the Ministry as 1 Youth 2 Skills Solution, Solution Job-Kikstart Initiative and the soon-to-commence skill training programme for those at the primary and secondary school levels.

Speaking further described the 1 Youth 2 Skills Solution as a total deviation from the usual youth empowerment programmes of the government to more impactful and sustainable programmes. He stated the 1 Youth 2 Skills Solution, which is purely a community-based programme was designed to incorporate five very important stages, Apprenticeship/Vocational Skills Training Scheme, Entrepreneurship Scheme, Cooperative Formation, Business Financing Scheme and One Year Mentorship Scheme.

He also notified that in the second phase of 1 Youth 2 Skills Solution, 10,000 youths will be empowered, which is an improvement on the 5000 youths who were empowered in the Pilot Phase with vocational and entrepreneurship skills in addition to a sum of N2 billion spent business financing scheme for start-up/expansion. He stated that 75% of the businesses funded under the Pilot Phase of the programmes are already showing signs of success based on impact assessment conducted by the ministry and other programme evaluation agencies. He also stated that 1 Youth 2 Skills had been adopted by the Federal Government as a result of the successes recorded and that preliminary discussions had been held between the state and the Federal Government for a possible partnership.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Dr. Martin Agbili, while appreciating the UNDP Team for coming stated that the major programme of Mr. Governor in the Ministry of Youth Development is to see how the Ministry can develop the youths and enhance their potential. He went further to describe the Commissioner as result-oriented and stated he has been working tirelessly day and night to see that Mr. Governor’s vision for the youths of Ndi Anambra is actualized.

He assured UNDP that the Ministry will accord them 100% support since its programmes and that of the Ministry are targeted at achieving common goals for the youths of the State. He described the proposed partnership with UNDP as coming at a time when the Ministry is seriously moving forward with impactful programmes that will offer room for success stories.

Also present during the meeting were the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Development, Engr. Emeka Tony Omatah, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Youth Development Mr. Chibuzor Udeh, UNDP State Focal Persons, Wetalu Okosi, Jennifer Odunukwe among others.

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