YOUTHS HAIL 1YOUTH 2 SKILLS AS TOP HUMAN CAPITAL PROJECT…CONFER AWARD OF EXCELLENCE ON ONITSHA SOUTH MAYOR
By Obianuju Azukaego/Juliana Nwachukwu :
The 1 Youth 2 Skills programme initiated by Governor Charles Soludo through Anambra State Ministry of Youths and Empowerment has been hailed as Nigeria’s top Human Capital Development Project.
Mr. Franklin Oyeke, Head of the 1 Youth 2 Skills program in Onitsha South Local Government Area, announced this after presenting an Award of Excellence to Mr Emeka Orji, Mayor of Onitsha South LGA, at his office in the Secretariat.
He described the youth empowerment programme as the best because it has a long term training period of 4 – 6 months unlike the three days training commonly practiced in the society.
Mr. Oyeke who is the councilor Elect, Odakpu ward 1 Onitsha South said that Prof. Soludo at the pilot phase of the programme trained 5000 youths in various skills and vocations and established them to be financially independent.
He stated that many youths in the state through the 1 youth 2 skills have acquired various skills and vocations in the pilot phase while 10,000 youths are still learning skills in different skill acquisition centres in the state.
“The 5000 youths who graduated from the pilot phase of the programme are doing well in their various fields of endeavors.
“The second phase which gave room for 10,000 youths to be trained in various skills is on-going”, he noted.
He also commended the Mayor of Onitsha South LGA, Chief Emeka Orji for impressive developmental strides he has achieved in the area when he was the transition chairman.
He added that youths decided to bestow him an award of excellence to appreciate his innovative quality and as well to encourage him to do more.
Also speaking, the Coordinator, Solution Youths Prenuer Support Group (SYPSG), Onitsha South LG, Mr. Dubem Okonkwo praised the 1 youth 2 skills initiative of the governor while describing it as a solution to unemployment in Nigeria. He said that Prof. Soludo’s innovations are equal to none.
He also commended the visionary quality of Chief Emeka Orji, while congratulating him for winning the just concluded LGA election.
Reacting, Chief Orji appreciated the youths for the award conferred on him and promised to work harder to achieve more success.
He also lauded the governor for the initiative which he confirmed that it is yielding positive results.
The high point of the event was the presentation of a portrait to the Mayor of Onitsha South LGA, Chief Emeka Orji.
* Azukaego and Nwachukwu are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *