By Chidubem Okoye
The Nnewi North Local Government area chairman, Hon Echezona Anazodo, on June 23, empowered select ambitious youths and young entrepreneurs with viable ideas from all the wards in the local government who had skills but lacked start up capital with ₦10,000,000 grant at the local government headquarters, Ukpor.
Speaking at the event, Azodo urged the beneficiaries to live up to the expectations.
“This is not a handout. It is a grant. Today , we are sowing into the future of Nnewi which these young men and women are expected to champion. We want you to use this capital to develop your talents and skills and become employers of labour tomorrow”, he said.
The Mayor also donated state-of-the-art industrial sewing machines to secondary schools across the LGA. The move was a strategic push to revive technical education and equip students with practical fashion and tailoring skills before they even finish secondary education.
“We are catching them young. When a student graduates with a skill, we have already won the battle against poverty and unemployment. Because an empowered youth is an asset. A skilled youth is a solution. And my administration will not rest until every young person in Nnewi sees a path from zero to hero,” the Mayor assured.
One of the beneficiaries, Chidera Okeke, who received grant support to expand her small beauty business, said: “This is the first time the government has reached us directly. Our chairman has given me wings to fly”, She said.
Mayor Anazodo’s empowerment blueprint aligned with the Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s Solution agenda for the State, such as creation of jobs, promoting skills, and securing the future.
Parents, school principals, and beneficiaries hailed the empowement as timely, transparent, and transformational.
Chidinma Okoye is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
