By Michael Ovat

Copyright tribuneonlineng

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has celebrated the graduation of 8,300 young men and women who successfully completed the One Youth Two Skills Plus Programme.

The graduation ceremony was held at the International Convention Centre, Awka, on Monday.

This initiative, launched on 22 October 2022, aims to revolutionise youth empowerment by moving beyond mere consumption to fostering productive, innovative, and exportable skills.

The One Youth Two Skills Programme stands out as the largest youth enterprise and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) development initiative in Nigeria, one that aspires to make Anambra State a leading skills hub in Sub-Saharan Africa. Governor Soludo emphasised that the programme is designed to ensure that a significant percentage of the youth in Anambra acquire employable skills that can also be exported.

According to him, the initiative consists of five critical schemes, including the Apprenticeship Scheme, Entrepreneurship Scheme, Cooperatives Formation Scheme, Business Financing Scheme, and Mentorship Scheme, all of which are structured to last for one year.

He revealed that the first phase of the initiative had successfully empowered 5,000 youths from 179 communities, distributing ₦2 billion for equipment financing and ₦2.5 billion for working capital.

During the recent graduation ceremony, Governor Soludo highlighted the immense success of the first phase, which recorded an over 80% success rate in terms of business commencement and expansion among its beneficiaries, underscoring that products showcased at the event, including T-shirts and food, were created by graduates of the programme, reflecting the initiative’s motto of using local resources and producing what is needed.

He noted that the initiative also encourages collaboration among beneficiaries, evidenced by the formation of the Solution Youth-Preneurs Support Group (SYPSG) — a self-driven platform aimed at supporting fellow youths in acquiring skills, explaining that the group is currently training 1,000 Anambra youths at no cost, showcasing the programme’s commitment to community upliftment.

As the second phase of the One Youth Two Skills Plus begins, it aims to expand its reach and effectiveness. Governor Soludo has set ambitious targets, planning to empower 20,000 youths and increase training centres from 634 to 1,000 in the upcoming phase.

Governor Soludo encouraged the graduates to take their journey seriously, embracing the entrepreneurial mindset that prioritises success through hard work and innovation.

“With financial support amounting to ₦3.5 billion available to graduates through the Business Financing Scheme, as well as one year of mentorship from business development experts, the future looks promising for the empowered youth,” the governor stated.

The Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Patrick Aghamba, expressed immense satisfaction with the growth of the One Youth Two Skills Programme, stating, “It is incredibly fulfilling to see how this initiative is evolving from strength to strength. We are witnessing a profound transformation in the lives and futures of thousands of our youth.”

Similarly, the Chairman of the One Youth Two Skills Entrepreneurship Scheme, Chinedu Onyeizugbe, acknowledged the programme’s success, noting a remarkable forty-eight per cent increase in participation. “This initiative stands out as a model for scholars and practitioners alike. Every graduation ceremony marks a vital step toward achieving our vision where every youth in Anambra is equipped with the essential skills for their survival,” he remarked.

Many beneficiaries of the programme, from within and outside the state, shared their success stories, highlighting how it has empowered them to become employers rather than job seekers.

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