The Anambra State Government has inaugurated companies contracted to mentor beneficiaries of the 1Youth2Skills Plus scheme for a one-year period.
During the inauguration, Commissioner for Youth Development Patrick Agha-Mba said the mentorship phase represents the final stage for the second batch of beneficiaries who were recently empowered under the state initiative. He explained that the phase is designed to provide structured guidance to help participants grow their chosen businesses.
Agha-Mba noted that the mentorship system will operate through quality assurance mechanisms involving mentors and corporate heads across local government areas, supported by workshops and capacity-building sessions.
Commissioner for Industry Christian Udechukwu said the mentorship phase is part of the Governor’s broader youth development agenda. He described the scheme as an extension of the Anambra Youth Service Programme, which has engaged more than 14,500 young people through government and volunteer platforms.
Udechukwu said mentors will help beneficiaries transition from micro-enterprises to small- and medium-scale businesses through consistent support and close supervision throughout the one-year engagement.
Representatives of the contracted firms, including Obi-Emeka Chukwudi and Ikechukwu Elota, commended the programme’s impact, noting that more than 8,000 youths have previously received seed capital. They outlined their responsibilities, which include guiding beneficiaries on fund management, business plan development, and access to credit facilities through agencies such as ASBA and the Bank of Industry.
They expressed optimism that the mentorship phase will improve access to grants and accelerate the growth of youth-led enterprises across Anambra State.
