No fewer than 37 best candidates out of no fewer than 100 youths from Anambra Central Senatorial Zone have been selected for empowerment.

The youths participated in the just-concluded three week skills acquisition training held simultaneously in the three senatorial zones.

The empowerment programme was part of the state government’s plan toward empowering the youths skilfully for sustainable future.

Speaking at Abba, Njikoka Council Area, Bonaventure Enemali, the Anambra State commissioner for Youths Empowerment and Creative Economy, said Governor Willie Obiano understands the role of youths in nation building.

“Due to Governor Obiano’s vision concerning the role of the youths, he decided to empower them for future challenges.”

The commissioner, who was represented by Kelly Uzoh, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Youths Empowerment and Creative Economy, urged participants to take what they learnt serious, and put them to use.

“The knowledge acquired during this training if put to action would enable government to achieve the aim of the programme,” Enemali said.

He noted that examination was conducted to select the best candidates for empowerment due to the importance of the programme to the governor.

Concerning the fate of the remaining participants that could not make it at the first batch, Enemali said that they should re-enrol alongside the second batch that would commence soon.

The commissioner, then, enjoined them to take the training seriously as the state government placed priority in growing the economy through youths’ active participation.

Enemali, however, congratulated the beneficiaries and other participants, advising them to form a cooperative to enable them to work as a team to achieve success.

Thanking the participants for their comportment and commitment, a staff of the ministry, Chitto Osilo, commended Obiano for the vision of engaging the youths into meaningful ventures.

She admonished them to be law abiding, remain focused and utilise all that they had learnt from the training to be self reliant.

One of the facilitators, Chinwe Etuga, expressed satisfaction with the level of comportment by the participants as well as support from the host community which she said helped them achieve success.

In an interview, Benneth Aniekwe, the president-general Abba Town Union, thanked Obiano for empowering the youths.

Aniekwe stressed the many benefits of the programme toward improving the state’s economy and curbing vices in the society.

He enjoined the participants to make judicious use of the knowledge to better their lives and the society.

Rosemary Mmaduk