International Human Rights Observatory (IHRO) Africa, has lauded Anambra state. Governor, Prof Charles Soludo for initiating a progressive youth skills empowerment tagged: “One Youth, Two Skills” Solution Programme in Anambr Soludo had initiated and kick-started the programme two years ago with its first-phase of 5,000 youths benefiting from various skills and entrepreneurship programmes on the basis of a youth getting engaged to two skills.
The Governor launched the second-phase programme on Thursday at the International Convention Centre, Awka with shortlisted 8,000 youths to particil in the programme that would last months depending on the skill being learnt or acquired.
The international group gave the commendation in a statement signed by its Country Director, Amb. Chimbo Obieze and Regional acting Secretary, Prof Abdu Adamu Shaffa, on Friday in Abuja and made available to newsmen in Enugu.
The statement said that the programme – “One Youth, Two Skills” solution – had come at a time when Nigerians are in desperate need of economic empowerment.
According to the statement, the Anambra State youth empowerment programme is a laudable initiative which seeks to make effective use of the idle time and energy of the youths to produce a new generation of start-ups and small business entrepreneurs.
This, it said, will bring about the much-needed turnaround in the Nigerian economy.
It said: “The initiative presently well-funded, well-supervised and well-utilised will ensure self-reliance, entrepreneurship and job creation at the state and national levels.
Pix- Prof Soludo.
“The IHRO-Africa is convinced that the programme will go a long way in positively impacting the lives of the youths, given to the high rate of unemployment and the youths’ involvement in various social vices.
“We are calling on all states government to emulate Anambra State Government in initiating “One Youth, Two Skills” Solution programme that will address the various challenges facing Nigerian youths.”
It said that the current economic crunch requires that government be proactive in initiating and implementing programmes that would not only ensure that the people have a better live, but also create opportunities to be self-sufficient.
“This is why the IHRO commends Gov. (Prof) Charles Soludo for initiating a youth skill empowerment programme in Anambra state, southeast Nigeria.
“We want to appreciate the state’s Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Agha-Mba, for sustaining the vision and supervising the initiative to its current success and fruition.
“The programme, which is aimed at creating employment and job opportunities for young people in the country, is well thought out and will be a welcome development in the entire country given the high rate of unemployment.
“It is our hope that youths of the state and the entire country take advantage of this opportunity to empower themselves and create jobs for others. This way, we can build a better and prosperous Nigeria,” it said.
The group also said that IHRO-Africa would like to partner with the Federal Government on projects under the Support Africa Young Entrepreneurs and Startups (SAYE-SUP).