INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY: SOLUDO’S ADMINISTRATION PRIORITISES YOUTH EMPOWERMENT, DIGITAL SKILLS IN ANAMBRA

By MaryAnn Chukwuma.

As the world marks International Youth Day today, August 12, attention is focused on the aspirations, contributions and opportunities required to enable young people to shape a better future.

The 2026 celebration is themed “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” highlighting the shared hopes of young people globally for dignity, opportunity, participation and a better future.

In Anambra State, Governor Chukwuma Charles Chukwuma, CFR, has continued to place youth empowerment, human capital development, innovation and digital skills at the centre of his administration’s development agenda.

Through the Solution Innovation District (SID), the state government is providing young people with opportunities to acquire digital skills through programmes including Code Anambra and LevelUp Anambra, preparing them for emerging opportunities in the technology sector.

The programmes are designed to equip young people with relevant skills in high-demand technology fields, while promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and participation in the digital economy.

The administration’s youth-focused approach also aligns with its broader human capital development agenda, recognising young people as critical drivers of economic growth, innovation and sustainable development.

The Solution Innovation District has also highlighted initiatives aimed at building Anambra’s digital ecosystem, with programmes supporting young innovators, entrepreneurs and technology enthusiasts to develop skills that can create opportunities locally and globally.

The United Nations says this year’s observance recognises that although young people live in different circumstances, they share common aspirations, while challenges such as economic uncertainty, digital inclusion and climate change require collective responses.

As Anambra joins the global community in celebrating its young people, the occasion offers an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of investing in their education, skills, creativity and leadership, while creating an environment where they can thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.

International Youth Day therefore serves as a reminder that empowering young people today is an investment in the future of Anambra State, Nigeria and the world.