‘’I don’t need this publication , says Anambra Deputy Speaker after Empowering 120 Constituents

Shortly after empowering about one hundred and twenty (120) youths from Awka South 11 constituency (Obizi) who are currently undergoing skill acquisition and development training at the Centre for Innovation and Creativity (CIC) Entrepreneurship Institute, Amawbia, the attention of the Deputy Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Harford Oseke was drawn for a publication in the dailies but his response was ‘’I don’t need the publication but if you want to publish it go ahead. They are still on training’’. Since the publicity is more important to us than him, please have it. Oseke is the man in the middle on glasses ....

The youths are being trained on various entrepreneurial skills such as cosmetics and household products, film editing, block molding, beads and wire works, computer/GSM repairs, tiling, landscaping and interlocking, welding and fabrication, plumbing, Alumaco production an fixing, animal husbandry and poultry production, modern furniture and woodworks among others.

Hon. Oseke, who is representing Awka South 11 in the State House of Assembly said the youths, upon completion of their three months training will be provided with equipments as part of effort to complement the efforts of the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano and his wife, Ebelechukwu Obiano in making the youths self reliant and reduce unemployment.

He stated this at Nibo Civic Centre, Obizi in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State during the official launch of the entrepreneurial training and empowerment programme

The Deputy speaker, however frowned at the rate of unemployment in the society, which according to him has led to increasing crimes and criminalities such as kidnapping, prostitution, armed robbery among others.

“My heart bleeds when I see these able bodied youths roaming the streets without jobs and in my first tenure as a lawmaker, I concentrated more on infrastructure; constructing classroom blocks at Isiagu, Umuawulu and Mbaukwu as well as upgrading the health post at Amawbia to health centre among others.

“In this second tenure and peradventure my last tenure in the State House of Assembly, I decided to partner CIC in this first phase in training 120 youths that will immediately be empowered after the training. In the second phase, we will train 300 youths in the whole of Awka South local government area” he emphasised.

The lawmaker further explained that the gesture will be extended to Awka North council Area and continues to revolve until unemployment is completely eradicated in Awka North and South Local Government areas.

Responding, Governor Willie Obiano, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Youth Empowerment and Moblisation, Dr. Onyeka Ibezim described the gesture as a milestone, adding that his administration has invested much in agriculture, which, according to him, has provided employment for many youths in the State

Governor Obiano also noted that his administration will give revolving loan of N500,000 to individuals and a maximum of N5Million to cooperative societies to ensure that youths are meaningfully engaged.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the member representing Njikoka 11 constituency, Hon. Peter Ibida said their colleague, Hon. Oseke has done what is uncommon by uplifting the spirit of the youths and enjoined the youths to ensure that they hold the bull by the horn.