By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Patrick Agha Mba, has said the youth of the State are elated and proud to have Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo as their governor, citing his commitment to youth empowerment and inclusive governance.
Commissioner Agha Mba made the assertion on Thursday during an interactive session with delegates from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, who paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Awka, the state capital.
He attested that Governor Soludo has done greatly well for the Anambra youths because of the priority he places on youth development and their general welfare, which, he said, the current administration has manifestly proven in many ways and through various initiatives since its inception. He further added that the Governor has created many beautiful opportunities for the youths to thrive and excel, stressing that many positive-minded youths have utilized while others will still utilize such opportunities to better their lives and make impacts in the society.
Reflecting on his own journey into politics, which, he said, was impact-oriented; Hon. Agha Mba recounted his early involvement in youth leadership, serving as the Vice President and later President of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) Youth Wing. He said his dedication to community development led to his appointment as the Transition Committee Chairman for Onitsha North in 2017, a position he held for six years.
According to him, during his tenure, he initiated several impactful projects, including the establishment of a smart library, provision of educational materials, and installation of streetlights, which continue to benefit the residents of Onitsha. This exemplary service, he believed, caught the attention of Governor Soludo who appointed him as the Commissioner for Youth Development. Agha Mba believes that his path was divinely orchestrated, stating that God had long prepared him for this role.
He lauded Governor Soludo’s merit-based approach to governance, noting that the governor prioritizes competence over nepotism.
He called for and emphasized the importance of youth participation in politics, maintaining thus: “Young people need to be in politics; everything affects them. They need to be in the system to close the identified gaps in societal issues.”
Highlighting the ministry’s commitment to effective communication, Commissioner Agha Mba also revealed plans for sustainable partnerships with the NUJ and other relevant stakeholders, aimed at redefining the youth mindset from consumerism to productivity.
“We don’t want to be giving fish but teaching people how to fish, in line with the vision of Mr. Governor,” he emphasized. He identified various categories of target beneficiaries favoured by the various training opportunities and empowerment initiatives championed under his Ministry, and expressed the desire to integrate NUJ members into same.
He further appealed to the media to assist in raising awareness about the ministry’s programs, including the “One Youth, Two Skills” initiative, which, he said, was launched by Governor Soludo to transform Anambra into the largest skill hub in Nigeria by equipping youths with vocational and entrepreneurial skills. The first phase, he recalled, trained 5,000 youths, who received a total of ₦2 billion in start-up capital; while the second phase saw over 8,620 participants selected from 183,000 applicants, with ₦2.5 billion set aside for their empowerment.
The initiative, he explained, encompasses five systematic pillars: apprenticeship schemes, entrepreneurial skills training, formation of cooperatives, business financing, and mentorship; while innovations, such as smart learning devices, including talking books and pens, have also been introduced to enhance the learning experience for participants.
While re-emphasizing the importance of quality over quantity, Commissioner Agha Mba, who asserted that what matters is not where one is from but what one can offer, further appreciated and extended hands of partnership to the NUJ to ensure that information about youth development programs reaches every corner of the state, among other reasons.
Earlier speaking, the leader of the delegation and NUJ Chairman in Anambra State, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD, commended the Ministry’s efforts in youth empowerment and pledged the Union’s support in disseminating information about government initiatives.
He emphasized the critical role of the media in shaping public perception and fostering community engagement, while also urging the Ministry to ensure regular updates and transparent communication to enable journalists do their work effectively and responsibly.
The NUJ Chairman also highlighted the need for continuous synergy between the government and the media, stressing that timely and accurate information flow helps curb fake news and misinformation, and builds trust between the people and the government. He assured the Commissioner of NUJ’s readiness to partner with the Ministry in promoting its youth-targeted initiatives, while also encouraging the government to continue prioritizing youth inclusiveness and capacity building.
“We are happy with the efforts your Ministry is making to secure the future of Anambra youths, and we will not hesitate to give our professional support where necessary. Journalism is not just about reporting; it is about amplifying voices and driving change. And we are willing to walk this path with you,” he concluded.
Also present during the visit was the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Development, Engr. Emeka Tony Omata, among others.
