Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has said his administration will expand youth skills development programmes as part of efforts to reduce poverty and improve productivity.
The governor spoke during a visit to a six week digital training and skills acquisition programme organized in partnership with CUTECH Group.
Represented by Secretary to the State Government Chidiebere Onyia, Mbah said investment in young people was central to the state’s long term development strategy.
He said the administration wanted more young residents to acquire practical and digital skills that could improve employment and entrepreneurship prospects.
Special Assistant on Youth Development and Mobilization Charles Edeh said the programme was intended to become part of a wider framework covering all 17 local government areas.
He said young people in rural communities should have the same opportunity to develop their talent as those in urban centers.
CUTECH Group Managing Director Collins Onu said more than 1,500 people applied for the current programme.
Only 200 participants could be selected because of capacity limitations.
Onu said the programme formed part of the company’s corporate social responsibility activities and focused on preparing young people for emerging economic opportunities.
The state government said future expansion would aim to reach a larger number of participants and spread access more evenly across Enugu.
Officials said the wider objective was to turn youth training into measurable employment, enterprise creation and productivity gains rather than one off certification.
