—— Says the administration recognises the critical role of young people in driving sustainable economic growth.
Special Adviser (Political) to the Governor of Enugu State, Hon. Frank Anioma , made this known while speaking on the topic “Enugu State: Consolidating the Gains of joining APC,” on the programme, Beyond the Headlines on Freedom Square TV, anchored by Uchenna Cyril Anioke.
Anioma commended Governor Peter Mbah for placing youth development at the centre of his administration’s agenda, noting that a series of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) empowerment programmes are currently being implemented to support young entrepreneurs across Enugu State.
He described Governor Mbah as “a youth-friendly leader” whose policies are deliberately structured to provide young people with practical economic opportunities.
He emphasized that the ongoing SME initiatives reflect the administration’s commitment to reducing youth unemployment and strengthening the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
According to him, “His Excellency, the Governor has a lot of programmes for the youths. There have been a lot of programmes for the youths. There has been a lot of training through the Enugu SME championed by my colleague Hon. Chiloh Ofia. There has been a lot of training and empowerment especially on the digital aspect of it. The youths are been engaged. Even as I speak to you now, there are many trainings going on for those that are interested, because there are youths who do not want to be gainfully employed. They have been exposed to one form of get rich quick or the other but those that are asking questions can visit the SME office and align themselves into one of these programmes. From the presidency, we are now setting the structure to capture a thousand youth per ward. The president has a programme that will connect and cover the eight thousand and nine political wards in Nigeria. Each ward having a thousand that will lift people out of poverty. His Excellency the Governor has the youth at heart . He is a youth friendly governor.”
The programmes include access to start-up capital, business development support, capacity building workshops, and other interventions designed to help young people establish and expand their enterprises.
He noted that Governor Mbah’s approach to youth empowerment is both strategic and result-oriented.
He therefore urged beneficiaries and stakeholders to take full advantage of the initiatives and continue supporting the government’s broader efforts to enhance productivity and inclusive development across the state.