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Empowerment: Soludo launches second batch of 1Youth-2Skills

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By Paul Nwosu

It was an enthralling scene of magical enthusiasm as Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, launched the second batch of the One Youth, Two Skills initiative at the International Convention Centre, Awka, on Thursday, April 8.

The jam-packed hall of some 8,620 participants who qualified for the second batch of the programme kept hailing Governor Soludo as he stated that the successful candidates were selected from 183,000 applications because of available limited spaces.

In the words of Mr. Governor: Today, we are beginning the Phase Two of that big journey to ensure that our youths are empowered on a sustainable basis, to teach them how to fish and eliminate hunger. Phase One of the programme had 5000 youths, trained on a peculiar way of igba boi, mentorship, etc. Most of them have been empowered, and several of them are now employers of labour.”

Governor Soludo went further to stress: As we launch this particular phase, Ndị-Anambra youths, I thank you for being responsible citizens. Thank you for deciding not to protest, not because you don’t feel the pain of the moment but because of our age-long value system. Ndị-Anambra celebrate nothing but hard work. I thank our youths for deciding to take their destinies in their hands. It is good to protest, but even better to do something. For decades, we’ve been singing songs of lamentation, but now, we are doing something to ensure that our youths are useful to the society.

True to his drive of transforming Anambra State into the largest skills hub in Nigeria, Soludo maintained that the training will give the youths the necessary skills to make them not only employable but exportable too.
According to Governor Soludo, This is a unique training programme. Many of the artisans works and skills are now in short supply. As I look at your faces today, I can see the future millionaires and the youths that can take Anambra and Nigeria to the world.

He itemised the five systemic pillars of the programme thusly: Apprenticeship scheme, Entrepreneurial skills training, Formation of cooperatives, Business financing scheme, and Mentorship scheme.
For starters, 2 billion Naira grant was disbursed to those who qualified in the last batch. Another 2.5 billion naira start-up capital has been set aside for beneficiaries that are willing to access it through the Anambra Small Business Agency (ASBA).

This is becoming an organic movement, Governor Soludo said, adding: “We are expecting that in every kindred, there should be one person benefitting from the scheme, so that it permeates the whole Anambra. We are recommending this Anambra model to the world. We are upgrading and digitizing the system to ensure that former applicants do not apply and participate. The number that applied shows that Anambra youths are hungry to take their destinies in their hands. We will continue to provide the enabling environment. I implore you to take it very seriously.”

Soludo is not a dispenser of governmental freebies, as he stated: This is not a programme for government to dish out free money, but for those who are ready to make decent living. It will benefit only qualified trainees. Make the most of it.

For Governor Soludo, the children and the youth are the bridges to the future. He gave pride of place to Community Development as the pivotal key that has helped Anambra State to rise and shine very quickly.

Mr. Governor minced no words in making the plea: I encourage friends of Anambra to join us. Public-Private-Community-Partnership (PPCP) is the fastest way to scale up the development of Anambra. We are determined to give good value, but we need partners. To developmental partners who have funds, this is an opportunity.

Reiterating his governments commitment to human capital development, Governor Soludo charged the youths to take advantage of the One Youth, Two Skills initiative so that they will become a solution to themselves and the society.

*PAUL NWOSU*
Commissioner for Information
Anambra State

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Generator fumes suspected for death of UNN students

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Strong indications has emerged that the use of a generator in a poorly ventilated environment may have caused the death of some students of the University of Nigeria, Nssuka.

The suspicion emerged after a survivor of the incident disclosed that a generator was operating outside the corridor of the apartment where they gathered, while the doors and windows remained shut.

According to the 24-year-old survivor, an Art Education student, about 10 people attended the party organised by his friend, David, to celebrate the completion of his final examinations.

The gathering reportedly started around 11:30 a.m. at the host’s residence in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, with participants sharing alcoholic drinks and playing Truth or Dare.
Recounting his experience, the survivor said he suddenly lost consciousness after helping one of the participants who had vomited and returning to clean the floor.

He disclosed that his legs had become stiff and he could no longer walk before eventually passing out. The student said he regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., only to discover that his friends were lying motionless on the floor.

“When I regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., I heard someone saying that the host was shaking. I woke up and managed to look into the parlour, where I saw the host and other participants lying on the floor,” he recounted.

He said he subsequently contacted friends for assistance, before one of them eventually helped convey the affected students to Bishop Shanahan Hospital and other medical facilities in Nsukka.

The survivor further explained that the apartment was poorly ventilated, with the doors and windows shut, while a generator was running outside in the corridor. A fan was also operating inside the room.

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Speed Darlington begs Burna Boy to drop case

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Nigerian singer, Darlington Okoye popularly known as Speed Darlington, has apologised to Grammy-winning musician, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, asking him to withdraw the charges against him and promising to stop making comments about his sexuality.

Speed Darlington made the appeal in a video posted on his Instagram page on Thursday, in which he expressed regret over the pain and embarrassment he might have caused the singer.

“This video is for Burna Boy. Burna, this is an apology video. I apologise for any pain that I have caused you. Any shame that I have caused you,” he said.

The singer admitted that he was wrong to assume that everyone had the same temperament, adding that he wanted an end to their disagreement.

“I made the mistake of thinking that everybody vibrates at the same frequency. That’s wrong of me. I apologise, Burna Boy,” he added.

He further pledged to refrain from making both direct and indirect comments about Burna Boy’s sexuality, making the withdrawal of the charges a condition for his promise.

“I give you my word that if you withdraw all charges and let everything die, I give you my word that I will never make any direct comment regarding your sexuality. “Even indirect comment. I will no longer try sustain. I give you my word. Let peace reign,” he said.

Speed Darlington also promised not to mention the singer’s name again if the legal dispute was resolved.

“I promise I will never use my mouth to mention your name,” he added.

 

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Why I left Peter Obi- Yinusa Tanko

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Yinusa Tanko, former national coordinator of the Obidient Movement, says he experienced a betrayal of trust and loyalty in Peter Obi’s camp, which led to his exit from the movement.

Tanko spoke on Thursday shortly after his unveiling as the coordinator of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential campaign council.

Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDP), appointed Tanko as national coordinator of the Obidient Movement in September 2024, following a consensus to zone the position to the north.

He was later redeployed as Obi’s political adviser (north), a position he held until October 30, when he resigned.

However, Tanko said he never wanted to leave Obi’s camp, insisting that he was pushed out rather than choosing to exit the movement.

Tanko said although he appreciated the opportunity to serve Obi, he could not remain in a political group where his contributions were no longer valued.

“Well, you know, as you move along in politics, there may be a time when your group does not want you, does not need you or does not appreciate what you do,” he said.

“You don’t stay where you are being tolerated; you go where you are appreciated.

“As far as I’m concerned, I appreciate all the work I have done, and I appreciate him for giving me the opportunity. But the only thing I have suffered in that particular movement is betrayal of trust and betrayal of loyalty.”

Tanko said he served the former Anambra governor with diligence, honesty and integrity, adding that he still held him in high regard despite the circumstances surrounding his departure.

“Everybody knows that I have served with diligence, determination, honesty and integrity. That was how I served Peter Obi, and I continue to respect him,” he said.

“But now, since they don’t want me, people who appreciate me have picked me from the dustbin and made me a bride.”

Asked whether Obi would be pleased to see him in another political party, Tanko said he could not determine what was on the former governor’s mind.

“You cannot say what is on his mind; only he can speak for himself,” he said.

He added that his new political associates had recognised his contributions to nation-building and offered him another opportunity to serve.

 

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