Three Point Five billion naira has been set aside as an empowerment grant for eight thousand, three hundred youths from Anambra and outside the state under the One Youth, Two Skills Plus Solution Initiative.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who stated this during the graduation and certification ceremony for the successful youths out of the one hundred and eighty three thousand applicants, said that a few billions have equally been set aside for the Anambra Small Business Agency, to give loans to interested beneficiaries.
Speaking at the event which was held at the International Convention Centre, Awka, Governor Soludo recalled that the programme was launched in October 2022, pointing out that the programme is in line with his manifesto promise of raising one thousand youth millionaires, annualy and described the programme as stomach infrastructure on a sustainable basis.
The Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Aghamba expressed delight that the programmes is growing from strength to strength, stating that it is already transforming the lives and destinies of thousands of youths.
For the Chairman, One Youth Two Skills Entrepreneurship Scheme, Professor Chinedu Onyeizugbe who spoke earlier, the programme has recorded a forty eight percent 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 requisite skills for their survival.
Some of the beneficiaries, testified that the programme has benefitted them into becoming employers of labour.
Recall that the first cohort in 2023 empowered 5,000 youths with N2 billion start-up support with over 1,000 already running thriving ventures.
