In a bold move to transform Anambra State into a tech-driven and youth-empowered economy, Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration has launched the second phase of the ‘One Youth, Two Skills’ programme, targeting the upskilling of 10,000 youths across the state.
This initiative is designed to address unemployment, enhance employability, and prepare the younger generation for the 21st-century job market.
Speaking during an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on the programme’s impact, the Youth Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, UK Chapter, Chief Eloka Amobi, lauded Governor Soludo’s leadership and vision for youth development.
“I am particularly excited about the consistency Governor Soludo has shown in his youth-focused development agenda. The ‘One Youth, Two Skills’ programme has received widespread commendation, and the launch of its second phase in August 2024 shows the administration’s commitment to sustainable empowerment,” Amobi stated.
He emphasised that the programme does more than offer vocational training, as it provides a foundation for long-term economic stability by equipping youths with practical and technological skills that match modern job market demands.
“As a technology professional, I am thrilled by the administration’s forward-thinking approach. Soludo is not just providing skills but equipping our youths with tools for the tech age. A minimum of two skills for every youth gives them a head start either to find employment or to become entrepreneurs,” Amobi added.
According to Amobi, the programme is part of a wider strategy by the Soludo-led government to tackle youth unemployment by integrating education, skills training, and infrastructure development.
He further mentioned that the state has trained over 30,000 persons in tech-related fields and has launched ‘smart schools’ to instil digital literacy from an early age. He said over 8,000 teachers have been recruited and equipped with laptops, bridging the gap between public and private education.
Amobi further remarked on the broader impact of these policies, citing them as visionary and inclusive.
“Governor Soludo’s strategy cuts across all local governments. We are seeing development in electricity access, clean water supply to over 30 communities, and improved security through initiatives like the Udo Ga-Achi operation. These projects are statewide, with no one left behind,” he asserted.
On the political front, Amobi urged youths to understand the importance of continuity in governance, noting that many of Soludo’s programmes are being rolled out in phases and require time to bear full fruit.
He added, “With the leadership of APGA UK Chapter Chairman Chief Richard Ilorah and APGA National Youth Leader Comr. Eze Onyebuchi, we are mobilising youths across the diaspora to support Governor Soludo.
The solution is here, and it must continue.
“In the face of economic challenges, the Soludo administration’s commitment to youth upskilling, technology adoption, and inclusive governance continues to provide a beacon of hope for a prosperous Anambra, led by a generation ready for the future.”