Anambra Youth Development Commission and Empowerment Bill – By Hon. Nonso Smart Okafor

I am delighted to announce that my bill which seeks to institutionalize youth empowerment and development in Anambra State, was passed today, Thursday, August 13th, 2020, during plenary, in Anambra State House of Assembly.

It will be recalled that within weeks of my inauguration into the Anambra State House of Assembly, as part of my continued advocacy for the prioritization of institutional and deliberate policy towards youth development and empowerment, I sponsored a bill titled “Anambra Youth Development Commission and Empowerment Bill, Implementation of Sustainable Youth Policy and other Related Matters”

After months of debates and reviews, the House in the knowledge that there is a need for a strategic vision, well-tailored policy framework and institution for youth development in other to address the problems of youth unemployment, graciously passed the bill.

This legislation which is now headed to the Governor’s desk seeks to establish a Youth Development and Empowerment Commission, that will provide solutions to the myriads of challenges confronting the youths in Anambra State.

We cannot continue to profess that our youths are the leaders of tomorrow and key drivers of societal transformation when there is no robust and institutionalized youth development and empowerment plan.

The current disenchanted state of many of our youths clearly poses threats to the security, stability and sustainable development of our dear state, Anambra and Nigeria in general. It is time to pursue vigorously a growth-focused policy and laws that will make adequate plans for the youth.

The commission is designed to have the responsibility of articulating and implementing sustainable empowerment and development programs for the state government that is designed to create job opportunities for the youths in the state.

Areas like enterprise and entrepreneurship development, technical and vocational education training, skill acquisition, making Youth related public institutions and facilities work, leveraging the entertainment and sports industry, Go-to-Farm policy, ICT training, giving soft loans to SMEs, providing funds for setups and other empowerment programs will be focused.

This will technically reduce anti-social vices such as armed robbery, kidnapping, stealing, prostitution and cultism.

To make the commission more effective, the commission will be managed by professionals especially from the private sector with representatives from government ministries and agencies.

I am hopeful that the bill will be signed into law by the Executive Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Chief Dr. Willie Obiano, as this will better position Anambra youths for continued greatness in the economic scheme of Nigeria and complement the efforts of the state government towards improving the social-economic status of Anambra State.

My appreciation goes to the indefatigable Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon.Uche Victor Okafor, and my wonderful colleagues, for ensuring the passage of this bill, against all odds.

Thank you and God bless you all.

Hon. Nonso Smart Okafor,
Member Representing,
Nnewi North Constituency,
Anambra State House of Assembly.