The Ojoto Akanasato community in Anambra State witnessed a significant event with the 3rd Edition of its Youth Conference, where the deputy chairman of Idemili South Local Government Area, Hon. Ifeanyi Anakuba, has sparked off a N20million youth empowerment scheme.
Themed “The Strength of the Youth and Solution Testimony,” the conference aimed to empower youths in business, education, and preparation for life.
Speaking at the 3rd Edition of the Ojoto Youth Conference, Hon. Ifeanyi Anakuba, Deputy Mayor of Idemili South Local Government Area, highlighted the significance of mentorship in youth leadership. He noted that the conference, which started when Comrd Samuel Mbanefo assumed office as Community Youth Leader, has yielded positive results and appealed to stakeholders to support the youth.
Anakuba also lamented funding challenges faced by micro-businesses, citing POS and hair-making enterprises as examples, and announced plans to empower them with N100,000 each. He emphasized that human capital empowerment is a key initiative of Governor Soludo’s administration and urged youths to stay focused and look to the future with high hopes.
During his opening remarks, Comrd Samuel Mbanefo, President of Ojoto Akanasato Youth, warmly welcomed attendees to the 3rd Edition of the Youth Conference, themed “The Strength of the Youth and Solution Testimony”. He praised Governor Prof Chukwuma Soludo’s administration for its efforts in empowering youths, citing the “1 Youth, 2 Skills” programme. Mbanefo also announced his leadership initiative on Youth ICT projects and appealed to stakeholders to support the programme. He commended the governor’s impact on the lives of youths and expressed confidence in his re-election, saying “Ochiri Mma Ga Achi Ozo” (good governance will prevail again), while also extending gratitude to the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Traditional Ruler, and President General of the community. 
In a charge to the youths, the Paramount Ruler of Ojoto Akanasato, HRM Igwe Gerald Mbamalu, urged youths to secure gainful employment, while praying against generational gaps that could hinder their progress. He lamented that some youths have succumbed to social vices and called on them to shun restiveness and other destructive behaviors that could jeopardize their future, emphasizing the need for youths to make positive choices that would benefit their community.
While speaking at the youth conference, Hon Patrick Agha Mba, the Honorable Commissioner for Youth Development in Anambra State, described the event as a worthy venture, emphasizing the need to close gaps between youths. He commended Governor Soludo’s initiatives, including the “1 Youth, 2 Skills” program, which has trained 8,300 youths for empowerment. Agha Mba urged youths to discover their talents and potentials, calling on Ojoto community youths to work together to build their community. He thanked the organizers and expressed the state government’s readiness to partner with them.
At the Youth Conference, Member Representing Idemili South Constituency, Sir Ebuka Igwe Esq, commended the youth leadership for sustaining the Youth Conference program and urged youths to remain focused. He supported the conference with a significant amount of money, demonstrating his commitment to youth development. 
The Mayor of Idemili South, Hon Amaka Obi, emphasized that every youth has a skill and encouraged them to engage in skills development for their betterment. She shared her personal story of humble beginnings and thanked Governor Soludo for accommodating youths in his administration. Mayor Amaka also supported the Youth Conference with a substantial amount of money, highlighting the importance of investing in youth empowerment.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Empowerment Programme, Dr Nelson Omenugha, noted that Anambra youths are the bridge to the future and praised the Ojoto youth leadership for setting a positive example. He encouraged youths to market, sell, and commercialize their skills, emphasizing the potential for entrepreneurship and economic growth. Dr Nelson contributed financially and expressed interest in mainstreaming the Youth Conference program in Idemili South, citing its potential for positive impact.
Other guest speakers at the Youth Conference, including Dr. Tochukwu Obiadi, APGA State Youth leader, Dr. Afam Obidike, Commissioner for Health, and several other dignitaries, urged Ojoto Akanasato youths to be good ambassadors and make productive use of the capital seed grant provided to support their businesses. The speakers, who included Rt. Hon Ernest Ezeunyim, Hon. Prince Chibueze Okoli, Hon. Kezito Anoliefo, Hon Augustine Ejibendu, Dr Paul Ebubechukwu Agbafuna, Barrister Chijioke Udoye, Chief Ndubueze Emejulu, and Lady Phina Onwuachu, encouraged the youths to utilize the resources available to them to drive their entrepreneurial pursuits.
A number of dignitaries attended the event, including Comrd Emeka Obi, President of the National Youth Council Anambra State Chapter, and Hon. Valentine Mbadugha, Deputy Speaker of Congress of Councilors. Other attendees included Chief Prince Dozie Okafor, APGA Contacts and Mobilization Chairman, Ward Councilors, Supervisors, Special Assistants, and Executive Assistants in Idemili South.
The event ended on a high note with solution testimonies from residents and youths of Ojoto Akanasato community, who commended Governor Soludo’s achievements and pledged their unflinching support for his second term in office.
