By Ebele Iyke Odili/Amaka Isikala
Anambra State Government has reiterated its commitment to the welfare of students and youths.
The Commissioner for Industry, Mr. Christian Udechukwu, while receiving the leadership of the National Union of Anambra State Students (NUASS) in his office in Awka, described Governor Soludo administration as of the people, by the people, and for the people, hence its deliberate investments in education, skills acquisition, and youth empowerment.
The commissioner noted that the present government in the state introduced free education from kindergarten to senior secondary school across the state, while plans are underway for a bursary scheme for university students of Anambra origin.He assured that the Governor will soon make an official pronouncement on the details of the bursary, including the amount, timing, and eligibility criteria.
“Anambra children are the only ones in Nigeria who have their education clearly mapped out for the future,”; he said, adding that child delivery services in state hospitals are now free, further reducing the burden on parents.
Highlighting other youth-focused opportunities of the government, Mr. Udechukwu pointed to the One Youth, Two Skills initiative, the Solution Innovation District, and the ongoing 1 Million Anambra Digital Tribe programme, where young people can acquire free ICT skills in coding, robotics, analytics, and digital entrepreneurship.”
“Some of these courses are taught in the universities, but here the government is offering them free of charge. Students can learn, work remotely from their hostels or classrooms, and earn income while still in school,” he explained.
The Commissioner also encouraged students to explore opportunities in fisheries and aquaculture under the Ministry of Fisheries, as well as in mining and solid minerals, where young people can participate through cooperative societies formations.
According to him, federal and state grants ranging from ₦5 million to ₦10 million are accessible to student cooperative societies and small businesses that would meet the requirements of registration and bank account setup. “As the governor always says, our biggest asset is our people. We believe that our youths should be productive at home and exportable abroad.”
The President of NUASS, Comrade Felix Nwachinemelu, a final-year Political Science student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, explained that the visit was to introduce the union, familiarize with the Ministry, and brief the Commissioner on their upcoming academic colloquium in the state.
He commended Governor Soludo’s reforms in the education sector and said the student community is proud of his visionary leadership.
The NUASS President assured that his group would continue to sensitize indigenous students on government policies and opportunities. “We have many student entrepreneurs who don’t know where to seek help, but with the knowledge gained from this visit, we can direct them properly. We are proud of Governor Soludo for what he is doing for students in the state. We call him ‘Olu atu egwu Umuakwukwo,” he said.
He also announced that the union is set to host an academic colloquium themed ‘Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo Philosophy: ‘Rethinking Developmental Governance’ while explaining that the event aimed at studying and modeling the Governor’s philosophy and value system for younger generations. “This is not a political noise; it is about content and substance. We want to extract the values Mr. Governor stands for and package them for students and the future leaders of our state,” he added.
Other members of the delegation include, Mr. Amandineze Chukwuemeka, Chief of Staff to the NUASS President; Miss Ezigbochukwu Calista, a Political Science student; Miss Etukokwu Ifeanyi Christabel, a Mass Communication student; and Mr. Chukwuemeka Promise, Chief of Protocol to the NUASS President, all of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
