FIC Report (Anambra State) – The Anambra State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to creating an enabling environment where young people can acquire relevant skills, build sustainable businesses, secure employment and contribute meaningfully to the economic and social development of the state.
The assurance was given during the 2026 International Youth Day Government–Youth Policy Interface, held in Awka to commemorate 2026 International Youth Day, with the Theme: “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
The engagement provided a platform for young people to interact directly with Government officials, understand available programmes and opportunities across various sectors, and ask questions on issues affecting their development and future.
Speaking on the opportunities available to young people, the Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Mr. Patrick Agha Mba, said the administration of Governor Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, had continued to implement programmes designed to equip young people with practical skills, entrepreneurial capacity and opportunities for economic independence.
Mr. Agha Mba disclosed that over 11,300 youths had been empowered with over N5.5 Billion through the 1Youth2Skills Plus alongside other government interventions targeting entrepreneurship, innovation, skills acquisition, employment and enterprise development.
Other youth development programmes, he highlighted, included the Master Trainers Certification, Touts Reformation and Redirection, Youth To Agriculture Scheme (YTAS), 1Youth2Skills TV/Anawood Local Enterprise Development (Umuboi Entrepreneurship) Scheme and Job Kikstart Solution Initiative
“These programmes are not merely about receiving government grants. They are pathways to skills, employment, enterprise and self-reliance,” Agha Mba said.
He urged young people to take ownership of the opportunities being provided by the government and use their acquired skills to build businesses, create employment and contribute to the development of Anambra.
The Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr. Law Mefor, said access to accurate information was critical to ensuring that young people benefited from government programmes.
He said the government was strengthening digital communication channels and public engagement mechanisms to ensure that citizens, particularly young people, could easily obtain credible information about government policies, programmes and opportunities across Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
“Fake news thrives where there is an information vacuum. When citizens know where to find accurate information, rumours and misinformation lose their influence,” Dr. Mefor said.
He encouraged young people to verify information before sharing it, while using social media responsibly to promote positive values and the development of the state.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua, said the Soludo administration was repositioning the education sector through digital transformation, teacher capacity building and curriculum reforms.
He explained that the reforms were aimed at ensuring that young people acquired not only academic qualifications but also relevant digital, vocational, entrepreneurial and problem-solving skills needed to thrive in the modern economy.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Ben Odoemena, challenged young people to change their perception of agriculture and begin to see it as a serious business and investment opportunity rather than merely subsistence farming.
Odoemena highlighted the various sectors within the agricultural value chain where young people could build successful businesses, including crop production, processing, marketing and other areas of agribusiness.
He particularly exposed the youths to opportunities in high-yielding coconut production, noting the growing economic potential of such agricultural ventures and the possibilities for young entrepreneurs to create wealth across the value chain.
The Commissioner encouraged young people to take advantage of government interventions and modern agricultural practices to establish businesses that could generate income while contributing to food security and economic development in the state.
The Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Barr. Udoji Okoli Amedu, highlighted the enormous cultural and tourism assets available across Anambra State.
He drew the attention of young people to some of the notable tourism sites in the state and explained that the government was exploring ways to develop these attractions into viable economic assets.
Of particular interest, he said, was the potential around Anambra’s rivers and riverbanks, where the government is looking at developing tourism opportunities capable of attracting visitors, creating jobs and stimulating businesses for young people.
He encouraged youths in the creative and entertainment industries to see tourism as a major platform for entrepreneurship, while exploring opportunities in hospitality, events, content creation, arts, culture and other related sectors.
The Special Adviser on Youth Reformation, Dr. Nelson Omenugha, challenged young people to embrace hard work, discipline, integrity and purposeful living.
Dr. Omenugha encouraged youths to study the lives of great Nigerian role models, including the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, and draw inspiration from their commitment, sacrifices and contributions to nation-building.
He noted that while many young people desire financial success and quick wealth, there was often an unwillingness to put in the necessary work, discipline and perseverance required to achieve sustainable success.
The Special Adviser therefore urged young people to reject the culture of instant gratification and embrace legitimate work, continuous learning, character development and responsible citizenship.
Representing the Special Adviser on Innovation and Business Incubation and CEO of the Solution Innovation District (SID), Miss Chinwe Okoli, the Senior Special Assistant on Innovation, Mr. IK Anajemba, presented the vast opportunities available to young people in the digital economy.
He explained that the digital space had created opportunities for young people to earn income beyond geographical boundaries, particularly through remote jobs, freelancing, digital services and other technology-driven ventures.
The SID’s representative encouraged youths to acquire relevant digital skills and position themselves to take advantage of the growing global demand for remote workers and digital professionals.
The Director-General of the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA), Dr. Nkem Okeke, represented by the Agency’s representative, Mr. Cyril Okedinachi, sensitised young people on HIV/AIDS prevention and the importance of making responsible health choices.
Okedinachi highlighted various preventive measures available to young people and encouraged them to take advantage of the interventions and services provided by ANSACA.
He also stressed the importance of awareness, testing, early detection, prevention and responsible behaviour, while encouraging youths to avoid stigma and misinformation surrounding HIV/AIDS.
Youth leaders, including the State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, President-General of ASTUC Youth, State Chairman of Ohanaeze Youth, President of the Anambra State Students’ body, who were all present at the occasion, called for improved dissemination of information on government interventions, noting that some young people miss valuable opportunities simply because they are unaware of the programmes available or do not know how to access them.
The discussions demonstrated that although young people operate in different contexts and face different challenges, they share common aspirations for quality education, meaningful employment, entrepreneurship, innovation, good health, financial independence and a better future.
The event therefore underscored the importance of sustained government-youth collaboration in translating policies and programmes into practical opportunities, in line with the spirit of the 2026 International Youth Day theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
Delivering the vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, Dr. Ifeatu Emodi, commended the participants, panellists and stakeholders for their contributions to the success of the programme and urged young people to make practical use of the opportunities presented during the engagement.
The celebration, attended by about 300 youths drawn from various youth formations in the state, ended with a renewed commitment by the government and youth leaders.
Ikeji Emeka
Senior information and public relations officer
FIRC, Awka
13/8/2026
