By Our Correspondent
Fresh controversy has trailed the Anambra State Government’s flagship empowerment initiative, 1 Youth 2 Skills, as a coalition of aggrieved participants has accused the Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Agha Mba, of manipulation and injustice in the selection of beneficiaries.
The group, operating under the umbrella of the Coalition of Aggrieved 1 Youth 2 Skills Participants (CA-1Y2S), alleged that genuine trainees who diligently participated in the programme were sidelined in favour of politically connected individuals who never took part in the training.
In a statement jointly signed by its coordinator, Okonkwo Samuel, and secretary, Oraegbunam Ifeanyi, the coalition described the development as a calculated attempt to short-change authentic participants, particularly those from the Chromatography and Media departments.
The group lamented that, after over a year of active participation, they were abruptly informed that their categories were not recognised among the beneficiaries, despite having fulfilled all programme requirements.
According to the statement, the Youth Ministry under Mr. Agha Mba allegedly substituted the names of qualified participants with loyalists and non-participants, some of whom reportedly paid or pledged a share of the start-up grants. It further claimed that certain beneficiaries from the first batch were re-selected in the second phase of the scheme.
Describing the process as “rife with favoritism and internal compromise,” the coalition said it possessed credible evidence — including attendance registers, media reports, and records published on reputable platforms — to substantiate its claims. It challenged the ministry to release the authentic list of trained participants for public scrutiny.
While reaffirming confidence in Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s leadership, the group urged him to personally intervene, probe the allegations, and restore integrity to his administration’s youth empowerment agenda.
It also demanded the immediate sack and investigation of the Commissioner for Youth Development.
The coalition maintained that its agitation was not directed against the Soludo administration but against the injustice allegedly perpetrated by officials handling the programme.
“We are not fighting the government; we are fighting injustice,” the statement read.
It vowed to continue pressing for accountability through lawful and media channels until justice is served, warning that the sacrifices of genuine participants would not be “buried under the carpet of corruption.”
The group also hinted at possible demonstrations if their concerns remain ignored.
When contacted, Mr. Agha Mba promised to respond to the inquiries but had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.
