‘Sharing rice’ not youth empowerment, Soludo tells politicians

Governor of Anambra State Prof Charles Soludo has described the empowerment programmes of some politicians in the state as ‘phantom charity’. According to Soludo, sharing bags of rice to youths is not a form of empowerment, but rather, a donation of food items. The Governor made the statement at the launch of the “One Youth, […]

Governor of Anambra State Prof Charles Soludo has described the empowerment programmes of some politicians in the state as ‘phantom charity’.

According to Soludo, sharing bags of rice to youths is not a form of empowerment, but rather, a donation of food items. The Governor made the statement at the launch of the “One Youth, Two Skills Solution” one-day workshop.

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The programme, organized by the Anambra State Ministry of Youth was held at the International Convention Center, Awka with the theme; “Raising Smart Entrepreneurs for a Prosperous Anambra State”.

Soludo said, “We have come to begin a process of productive empowerment in which you teach people how to fish, not giving them fish.

“Politicians and some other people are doing what I call phantom charity; sharing bags of rice to youths is not empowerment but rather, giving them food for the day because the next day, they will be hungry.

“We will give you the skill and training. Our agenda is to have one youth with at least two skills. That is the future of Anambra, Nigeria and Africa.”

The governor further promised that he will approve more funds in years to come for skill acquisition programmes for the youths of the state.

Soludo said, “We will approve more billions in coming years for the development of special skills and programmes we have for our youths. Today and tomorrow belong to you. In Anambra, we are hardworking. The true “Onye Anambra” don’t beg but asks for help to stand on his toes. When he is established, he starts deploying others into the business. This is the journey we have begun.

“My government is a government of the youths, for the youths and by the youths. The majority of youths constitute my cabinet. The 0.01%, the few hundred who gets into the bush, who seek an easy route of livelihood, involved in kidnapping and crime cannot define who we are.

“A true “Onye Anambra” will not take up guns to rob, attack, kill or decapitate someone’s head who hasn’t done him no wrong. Our people work hard legitimately.

He further emphasised that education is key to the success of the youth and the state.

“To lay the foundation, we must have an educational system for the 21st century. The quality of our educational system is defined by the quality of teachers and teaching. We are recruiting over 5000 teachers in the coming weeks.

“We can’t have schools without teachers. Our hospitals need doctors and nurses so that when you fall sick, you will have somewhere to go to,” he stated