…Opens Second Round of 2026 Youth Empowerment Programme
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Nkem Udeze, Ph.D, recently disbursed the 3rd phase of his N10 million in educational grants to students from Ogbaru and declared open applications for the second phase of his youth empowerment programme.
According to the Media Assistant to the Speaker, Franklin Osankwa, the announcements came at the 4.0 Edition of the Ogbaru Youth Parliament, held at Atafa Hotel & Suites, Odekpe. The event, themed, “Youths, Leadership & Opportunities”, drew about 500 young people from across the local government area.
Osankwa said the grant, now in its third phase, went to undergraduates, nursing students and secondary school students preparing for this session’s WASSCE.
‘Rt. Hon. Udeze also opened the application window for the second batch of his empowerment scheme. The move follows an earlier round in which about 300 youths received sewing machines, grinding machines, farm inputs and cash support to start or expand their businesses.
‘Beyond the grant, the programme featured sessions on youth leadership development and engagement, skills, jobs and opportunities for young people, and business support for young business owners in Ogbaru,’ he said.
Speaking at the event, the Speaker said he had sponsored the programme for four years as a way of preparing young people to lead now and not at some later date.
‘The youths are today’s leaders, not tomorrow’s,’ he said, restating the position that had guided the initiative since it began.
In attendance was Senator Stella Oduah, the APGA Candidate for Anambra North Senatorial District, who also encouraged the young people and backed the scheme with N5 million.
Also present were the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Patrick Aghamba; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Reformation, Hon. Nelson Omenugha; and the State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Hon. Nonso Nwaebili. The Okakwu of Odekpe also attended.
Hon. Chinwe Okoli, Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation and Managing Director of Solution Innovation District, was represented by Mr. Ike Anajemba, the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant.
