PILOT PHASE OF ANAMBRA ONE YOUTH, TWO SKILLS INITIATIVE ENDS, EMPOWERMENT OF TRAINEES TO COMMENCE, AUGUST 2023

By Ejike Abana

The empowerment of participants at the pilot phase of the One youth, two skills program of the Governor Soludo administration will commence by August, 2023.

The Commissioner for Youth, Mr. Patrick Aghamba disclosed this in Awka following the successful completion of the pilot phase of the scheme.

The "One Youth, Two Skills" scheme, which is being implemented in CBN-certified EDIs in partnership with UNIZIK Business School Awka, IDK, ITF, Federal Polytechnic Oko, among other agencies, is put together to assist young people in acquiring requisite skills to start their own businesses or find employment. 

400 Master Trainers provided training to participants in a wide range of skills at 400 training centers in all 21 local government areas of Anambra State.

Over five thousand youths were successfully trained on various entrepreneurship initiative, tailored into twenty different programs.

The scheme which is a systematic evolution of Igbo apprenticeship models has a well designed human capital development strategy that aims to transform lives and fortunes, reduce unemployment drastically, solve the problem of Insecurity as well as enhance the GDP of the country.

According to the Commissioner who emphasized that the initiative is sequential, presentations, further evaluation and needs assessment, among others, will commence immediately, to beat their time frame.

He noted that already, the Ministry has collected over one hundred thousand applications in their data bank for the first stage of the scheme, noting that beyond the closure of registration, another registration opportunity will start by December/January.

Commissioner Aghamba who said that five thousand expert trainers are business owners, disclosed that the first stage of the scheme will witness fifty two skill areas, against the pilot stage which had twenty skills; something he described as a first in the state.

"I urge the youths to get involved. We tried to create the monitoring team which is a key aspect of the project.

"We started, 28 May, 2023 with stream one of the trainees who undertook their training till 19th May, 2023. The stream 2 resumed on 27th June 2023 and ended July 21. 

"The training was done simultaneously in 22 certified entrepreneurship development institutes across the 21 LGAs of the state, in line with the Governor Soludo's Community base approach to development", the  Commissioner stated.

He stressed that during the duration of the training, about 42 courses were offered under 5 major parts including personal development skills, sales and marketing, management and work place essentials, administration skills.

"The results are beginning to show, hence the need for all hands to be on the deck to ensure greater success", he concluded.

Meanwhile, there was widespread jubilation across the centers visited by this reporter such as IDK and ITF in Awka.

Trainees who spoke including Nkechi Anachebe andChidimma Dike, Onyinye Uchendu, Uzoamaka Ken, Chukwuebuka Alagbogu, Josephine Achebe, Onyebuchi Ojinkeonye and Edwin Okoye-ede praised the Governor for launching the laudable project, expressing optimism that they will be empowered soon.

The Lead facilitator, one youth two skills in IDK, Maduabuchi Okeke and the Area Manager ITF Awka, said that they gave their best, training the participants to ensure that the set target is achieved.

SOLUDO TASKS ANAMBRA-ABUJA RESIDENTS ON DEVELOPING THE STATE

By Christian ABURIME 

Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, Governor of Anambra State has again reiterated his calls to Ndi Anambra living outside the State to bring their investments home to help develop Anambra State.

Governor Soludo made the clarion call during a town hall meeting with Ndi Anambra businessmen and women resident at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. 

It will be recalled he made similar calls to Ndi Anambra resident in Lagos few weeks ago. He specifically enjoined the business owners and investors of Anambra extraction to imbibe the homeland consciousness by repatriating home their investments to begin the foundational process of developing the State.

He again emphasized that God did not make mistakes by making them Anambra citizens. He called for their strategic partnership by seeking their cooperation to work together to develop the State.

"Let's work together as strategic partners to develop  Anambra. We have only one agenda which is to make the state a destination and not a departure lounge".

Governor Soludo thereafter reeled out some of the activities and infrastructure his administration is putting in place to make the State investor's friendly.

On security which remains a top priority of his government, Governor Soludo reassured that the security architecture has been strengthened with committed and dedicated state's community Vigilante Group working effectively with the other security forces. With a more strengthened security, he reassured the weekly sit-at-home syndrome will come to an end.

On road infrastructure, he reassured that over 300 kilometers of road across the entire state are currently at various stages of completion while additional ones will be flagged off soon.

He revealed Awka the State Capital is being modernised adding that a new government house and lodge will be ready in the latter part of first quarter next year. 

He further told the audience that his government has embarked on regenerative agriculture to boost production. He added that the recently distributed Coconut and palm oil seedling to about 140,000 households across the State will drastically reduce poverty when it starts fruiting in few years to come with every household expected to generate a princely sum of N1.2 million annually as income.

On environment, Governor Soludo said it remains an existential threat with the devastating effects of flooding and erosion. He mentioned areas like Oko, Nanka, Ekwulobia, Oba etc as heavily proned zones. He however assured that the government is re-channeling and desilting the waterways while a draft bill to further combat the menace will be forwarded to the State Assembly.

Speaking about the commercial city of Onitsha, the Governor regretted that the city was now more or less a shadow of itself. He reassured that his government has embarked on a rescue mission to bring it back to its former glory by  rebuilding infrastructure and desilting the waterways. 

He mentioned that environmental laws to compel landlords to paint their buildings once in awhile will come into effect soon. While Ochanja Roundabout will wear a new look with waterfalls fountain, and the famous creek road dualized with street lights.

On acquisition of land, Governor Soludo assured that every prospective investor will get land expeditiously. On power, he restated that the State government is working with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC,  for 24 hours electricity at least for the four major towns of Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi and Ekwulobia. He also appealed to every ndi Anambra to pay part of their taxes to the State Government to help develop the State.

On the future of the South East, the Governor expressed great optimism that the future is bright with the current leaders who have demonstrated the desire to work together for the growth of the region.

Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Sir Emeka Offor had commended the Governor for his giant strides in infrastructural development in Anambra State. He emphasized that developing Anambra State requires the cooperation of every Ndi-Anambra irrespective of party affiliation. He therefore called on all the politicians in the state including investors to support the government and invest in the homeland.

The Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, who came in at the middle of the event said Alaigbo cannot develop without Anambra. 

"We are one and the same people. We need to fix the whole of South East. My coming here is to support what Governor Soludo is doing. We must do everything possible to bring back our investment home." He told the audience.

He thereafter called on every Ndi-Anambra to support Governor Soludo, saying he has done very well in the little over one year he has been in office.

Others who spoke at the occasion such as former Governor Dr Chris Ngige, Senators Victor Umeh,  Ifeanyi Ubah, Uche Ekwunife all commended Governor Soludo for the great work he is doing in Anambra State.

The occasion was also graced by the wife of the Governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo with prominent Anambra-born Captains of Industry as well as members of Anambra State Executive Council among others.

We Must Make Sacrifice For Anambra To Develop - Igwe Egwuọnwụ Tells Ndị Anambra In Diaspora

By Ejike Abana

The Traditional Ruler of Umuawulu in Awka South Council Area of Anambra State, Igwe Joel Egwuọnwụ has reminded ndị Anambra living in the diaspora of the need to channel resources towards the development of their homeland.

Igwe Egwuọnwụ made the call in his palace while speaking to the press on Governor Chukwuma Soludo's call for concerted efforts towards enthroning a liveable and prosperous Anambra.

The Umuawulu Monarch maintained that heeding the call is for the good of the state, as such, all should contribute their own fair share.

He praised the Governor for doing so much within such a short period in office in the area of infrastructure and economic empowerment, with particular reference to road construction and the palm and coconut revolution.

He said that the ongoing Ekwulọbịa flyover will be a major game changer when completed because the area is usually a nightmare during festive seasons due to traffic gridlock, stressing that Governor Soludo has shown political will to execute such laudable projects.

Igwe Egwuọnwụ who compared the level of insecurity before the inception of Governor Soludo and the appreciable progress his administration has made, pointed out that without security, there will no peace or development.

While stressing that positive criticism is imperative for meaningful development, Igwe Egwuọnwụ called on the Governor to pay no mind to negative criticisms.

He wondered where the Governor got the resources to do what he is doing and encouraged him to continue to come up with innovative programmes or projects.

While saying that the traditional institution has always been part and parcel of governance in Anambra, Igwe Egwuọnwụ canvassed for more empowerment for the traditional rulers as custodians of grassroot government, assuring of continued support for the Governor in tackling insecurity.

GOVERNOR SOLUDO PAYS A FACILITY VISIT TO SIR EMEKA OFFOR'S MULTI-MILLION DOLLARS STALLED PROJECT

By Christian ABURIME 

Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo took time off from his very busy schedules to pay a facility visit to Sir Emeka Offor's multi-million dollars abandoned oil and gas equipment fabrications company, Katzec Engineering Limited, located at Ilashe land, Snake Island,  Lagos.

Governor Soludo was officially conducted round the expansive land where the company is located by Sir Emeka Offor, the Chairman of the Company and Mr. Mike Simpson, Director; Mr. Tochukwu Odukwe, Group Director.

The Governor was shown some of the pathetic sights of the multi-million dollars equipment and machineries which have been  purchased and put in place for years but are currently laying fallow and un-utilized.

Kaztec Engineering Limited, was established by Sir Emeka Offor to play a pivotal role in the development of the oil and gas sector of the Nigerian economy via fabrications, pipeline laying and installation and jackets for offshore platforms. The company came into existence in 2010 and officially stopped work in 2015 till date due to government force majeurs.

To breathe fresh life into the company, it will require the intervention of governments both at the federal and state levels, to save the massive investments already made as well as the massive equipment and machineries decaying away in the expansive land where the company is located.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo commended the patriotic investment and entrepreneurial zeal demonstrated by the Chairman in establishing the company while regretting the abandonment and rot of the massive equipment and machineries which need immediate intervention.

The Governor was accompanied on the trip by the Majority Leader of Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Engr Ikenna Ofodeme, Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Barr. Anthony Ifeanya, Commissioner for Industry, Mr. Christian Udechukwu, MD ANSIPPA, Mr Mark Okoye and Barrister Leo Chiegboka, Lagos Liaison Officer.

Other personalities at the visit include Senator Ibrahim Hadejia from Jigawa State, Hon Chudy Offodile, Chief Okey Nwosu, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, Mr. Oliver Alawuba, GMD of UBA and several others.

Onitsha-Owerri Road Erosion Disaster: Anambra At The Verge Of Being Cut Off, An Emergency Call To The Federal Government

By Ejike Abana

Anambra State in the South Eastern region of Nigeria is currently at the verge of being cut-off at the Onitsha-Owerri road axis.

An emergency intervention call has been put out to President Ahmed Tinubu's government owing to the life-threatening erosion in the location.

This owes heavily to a cave-in due to gully erosion that has washed off one section of the ever busy major federal highway in Ọba, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Presently, the affected area has been cordoned from the public. The only one lane of the road is in use, eventhough Governor Chukwuma Soludo's Anambra State Government has commenced emergency intervention, to forestall the progression.

The ever busy Onitsha Owerri Road is a federal road that connects commuters from the Niger River Bridge to other parts of Anambra and South East states, as well as some parts of the South South states.

Chief of Staff to Governor Soludo, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi accompanied by the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Ifeanyi Okoma as well as his Environment counterpart, Mr. Felix Odimegwu, Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Christian Aburime and others, paid an inspection visit to the location where they observed the cracks and slides of major meters down the ditch. Even buildings in the location are at the mercy of the erosion.

Mr. Ezeajughi used the opportunity to call on the federal government to declare a state of emergency on erosion menace in Anambra State.

"We have over a thousand active erosion sites in Anambra State. This is just one of them. We are acting on emergency.

"Because the Onitsha-Owerri road by Oba erosion wash-off is a major devastation, we are not waiting for the federal government, eventhough it is their responsibility".

He said that the people bearing the hardship are ndị Anambra, as such, Anambra State government embarked on intervention to arrest the situation before other measures.

The Commissioner for Works, Engr. Okoma revealed that on sunday evening, there was a report of slight washout on the road, saying that a team from the Ministry visited the location on Wednesday and saw the major erosion and mudslide on the road, called kilometer 8 + 100 Onitsha-Owerri road.

The Commissioner said that they observed that the progression was high, which made the engage a contractor to stop the progression.

"We are in talk with federal ministry works and Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA and they are already on it. But it will be a long process.

"We don't have an option, we moved a contractor that will continue with the second objective, to stop further mudslides", Engr. Okoma said.

He explained that it is an emergency situation but no formal co tract has been awarded for the work, stressing that it will be done pending the approval of the federal government.

The Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Felix Odimegwu pointed out that Anambra is the erosion capital of the Country and asked the federal government to also increase ecological funding in Anambra State.

The Transition Committee Chairman for Idemili South Council Area, Mrs. Ify Obi appreciated Governor Soludo for the prompt intervention, but pleaded with the federal government to assist.

Stakeholders from Oba were also part of the inspection visit.

Soludo Provides Solar-Powered Water Borehole To Anambra Senior Civil Servants' Estate, Awka

By Ejike Abana

Anambra State Government has provided solar-powered water borehole to occupants of Anambra State Senior Civil Servants' Estate, Awka.

The Head Of Service of the state, Barr. Theodora Igwegbe and Commissioner of Power and Water Resources, Mr. Julius Chukwuemeka embarked on the inspection of the project. 

The facility which has a 45-cubic meters tank, will service 40 homes of three bedroom flats each within the estate at zero cost.

Barr. Igwegbe said the facility had been in existence but not functional for so many years.

Barr. Igwegbe further explained that the major thrust of Governor Soludo's manifesto is welfare of workers, stressing that the renovation of the water facility was graciously approved by the Governor to make life easier for the affected civil servants.

The Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engr. Chukwuemeka emphasized that the project is one out of so many of such projects scattered across the state.

He noted that following the inventory which the present administration carried out, 72% of  1400 water facilities in the state are not functional largely due to lack of power supply. 

Commissioner Chukwuemeka said that renewable energy is environmental friendly which is the reason for the choice in the project. 

He recalled the revamping of the water facility at the Workers' Secretariat and added that Governor Soludo remains committed to the welfare of civil servants.

He tasked the civil servants on taking ownership of the project to ensure durability.

The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Don Onyenji and Chairman of the Estate, Mr. Obi Anthony Ikechukwu who are residents confirmed that water has been reticulated to all the homes in the estate, a necessity that residents have not enjoyed over the years and appreciated the Governor for demonstrating passion to their welfare.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power and Water Resources, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Uzoka, among others were also part of the inspection.

Enemies Of Soludo's Government Ranting About Insecurity On Social Media- Igwe Peter Uyanwa Of Ukwulu

The Traditional Ruler of Ukwulu in Dunukofia local government area of Anambra State, Igwe Peter Uyanwa has dismissed the talks by people in some quarters as rantings from enemies of progress.

Igwe Uyanwa made the disclosure while fielding questions from journalists in Awka.

The Monarch who observed that security is everybody's business, pointed out that as the Chief Security Officer of Anambra State for barely one year, Governor Soludo has performed creditably well and should be supported by all.

He advised those fanning the embers of disharmony, discord and violence and hate speeches on a section of the media to retrace their steps and follow the right path.

The Ukwulu Monarch who recalled one or two skirmishes, noted that it doesn't translate to describing Anambra as bad, security-wise.

While describing Anambra as one of the safest states in the country, Igwe Uyanwa advised well meaning ndị Anambra to heed the Governor's call and bring a part of their investments home.

He urged the people to say something when they see something as part of support for the present administration, saying that running to the social media to talk does more harm than good.

The Traditional Ruler gave assurances of support by the traditional institution and indeed, ndị Anambra and asked the Governor to remain focused to ensure that his plans and programs of a liveable and prosperous homeland is maximally achieved.