News
Empowerment: Soludo launches second batch of 1Youth-2Skills
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
Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG),, has said that God once gave him a stern warning never to leave the denomination, or face the death of his firstborn.
He shared this revelation during the June edition of the Holy Ghost Service, titled “Destined for Greatness (Part 2),” held in the early hours of Saturday at the Redemption City of God in Ogun State.
While speaking on the theme of divine direction and spiritual steadfastness, Adeboye referred to a message earlier delivered by his son, Pastor Leke Adeboye. He expressed concern over a growing trend among young Christians who frequently switch churches, often introducing themselves as first-time visitors in every new place they attend.
Recalling his own journey of faith, Adeboye said that when he became born again, several thriving ministries were popular and attractive at the time. Despite the appeal, he said God specifically instructed him to remain in RCCG.
“When I got born again, there were three major ministries that were making waves, and they were very good. There were different temptations to go from one to another,” he said. “But God said to me, ‘Son, I brought you here. This is where you will stay. The day you leave this denomination, your firstborn will die.’”
He noted that at the time, RCCG was relatively obscure, with its headquarters located in a modest building in Ebute-Metta, Lagos. Even though he was a university lecturer, he said God commanded him to serve under his spiritual mentor, who had no formal education.
“I was a lecturer at the university. My father in the Lord didn’t go to secondary school, not even primary,” he said. “But God said this is where you will stay.”
Pastor Adeboye urged young believers to seek divine direction and remain where God places them, rather than chasing trends or personal preferences.
“Discover where God wants you to stay, and stay there,” he advised.
He also clarified that his message was not intended to suggest that RCCG is superior to other Christian denominations.
“I am not saying we are better than any other denomination,” the cleric said.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has appealed to the Federal Government to fast-track the rehabilitation and expansion of the Alau Dam.
He made the appeal when the Shehu of Borno paid the traditional Sallah homage to the governor at Government House, Maiduguri, saying such was necessary to avert another Borno flooding disaster.
Zulum, who expressed concern over the slow pace of work on the project, warned that at the dawn of this year’s rainy season, urgent action was needed.
According to the governor, fast-tracking the project would prevent a repeat of the 2024 flood disaster which devastated Maiduguri and surrounding local government areas.
“After the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction and expansion of the dam, which we all attended, the truth is that the work is not progressing as expected.
“The last time I visited the president, I informed him about the true state of the project. I assure you I will not relent. I will continue to follow up, and I have also notified the Vice President.
“In the meantime, the Secretary to the State Government has constituted a committee to provide immediate intervention at the dam,” Zulum said.
The Federal Government had earlier this year approved N80 billion for the reconstruction and expansion of the dam.
The intervention was aimed at mitigating a repeat of the dam’s collapse incident, which culminated in the severe flooding and damages that ensued.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held in March to mark the official commencement of the project.
Zulum also pledged to connect all local government headquarters in the state to the national electricity grid before the end of his administration.
Highlife music icon Mike Ejeagha has passed on at the age of 95. He was known for incorporating proverbs into his music and is the original owner of the now popular song-dance gwogwogwongwo.
Ejeagha died on Friday night at about 8 p.m. at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu after a protracted illness.
His passing was confirmed by his eldest son, Emma Ejeagha.
Born on April 4, 1930, Mike Ejeagha launched his music career in really in life and significantly influenced the evolution of music in the Igbo language for over six decades.
He gained widespread fame after he was invited by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) as a guest presenter for an Igbo program, ‘Akuko N Egwu’, in 1972.
He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.
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