The Anambra State Government has inaugurated the contracted companies that will mentor beneficiaries of the 1Youth2Skills Plus scheme for one year.
Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Agha-Mba, during the inauguration, said the mentorship phase is the final stage for the second batch of beneficiaries who were recently empowered by the state government.
The mentorship phase is aimed at ensuring that the beneficiaries receive proper guidance to grow their chosen businesses.
Mr. Agha-Mba said the structure of the mentorship system will include quality assurance through the mentors and corporate heads across the local government areas, as well as workshops and capacity-building sessions.
The Commissioner for Industry, Mr. Christian Udechukwu, said the mentorship phase aligns with the Governor’s broader youth development agenda, describing the scheme as an expansion of the Anambra Youth Service Programme, targeting more than 14,500 young people trained through both government and volunteer channels.
He said the mentors are expected to guide beneficiaries through the transition from micro-enterprises to small- and medium-scale businesses, providing steady support and close engagement throughout the one-year period.
Representatives of the contracted firms, including Comrade Obi-Emeka Chukwudi and Prince Ikechukwu Elota, acknowledged the impact of the initiative, especially in empowering over 8,000 young people with seed capital during earlier phases, and outlined their roles in helping beneficiaries understand fund utilization, prepare business plans, and access credit facilities through agencies such as ASBA and the Bank of Industry.
They expressed confidence that the mentorship stage will enhance access to grants and further accelerate the growth of youth-led enterprises across the state.
Source: ABS
