Okonkwo Samuel
PRESS STATEMENT:
Coalition of Aggrieved 1 Youth 2 Skills Participants (CA-1Y2S)
Calls on Governor Soludo to Address Injustice and Manipulation in the 1 Youth 2 Skills Program
The Coalition of Aggrieved 1 Youth 2 Skills Participants (CA-1Y2S) has expressed deep disappointment and outrage over what it described as the calculated exclusion and manipulation of genuine participants of the Anambra State Government’s flagship youth empowerment program, 1 Youth 2 Skills.
The coalition, made up of participants drawn from across the 21 local government areas of the state, particularly from the Chromatography and Media departments, said it was shocking to be informed after more than one year of active participation that their departments were not part of the recognized beneficiaries of the program.
“This is a clear case of betrayal and injustice. We participated fully in the program, attended trainings, produced creative contents, and projected the initiative across the state and beyond. Many of us who are bloggers, influencers, and media professionals dedicated our platforms and personal resources to publicize the program, believing in Governor Soludo’s vision for youth empowerment,” the coalition said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
The coalition noted that despite their visible contributions, they were shocked to be informed that their categories were excluded from the beneficiaries’ list, even after their respective trainers were later accommodated and benefited from the scheme following a meeting with the Commissioner for Youth, Mr. Patrick Agha Mba.
“It is disheartening that those who actually participated were sidelined while people who never took part are being listed as beneficiaries. The entire process reeks of irregularities, favoritism, and political manipulation,” the statement continued.
According to the group, credible information available to them suggests that the program has been compromised by internal dealings allegedly involving the Youth Ministry, where names of non-participants were allegedly inserted to benefit from the scheme in exchange for loyalty or financial sharing arrangements.
“We are not making empty allegations. We have evidence of participation; attendance lists, media contents, and reports published on credible platforms including Daily News Reporters and other online outlets. We challenge the Ministry of Youth to produce the original list of trained participants and compare it with the so-called beneficiaries,” the statement added.
The coalition therefore called on Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo to urgently intervene, investigate the matter, and restore confidence in the administration’s youth empowerment drive. They insisted that the 1 Youth 2 Skills initiative must not be allowed to lose its credibility because of a few individuals allegedly using the process for selfish gains.
“We still believe in Governor Soludo’s leadership and vision for Ndi Anambra, but what is happening under the Ministry of Youth is an embarrassment to that vision. We call on the governor to set up an independent review committee to investigate the handling of the program and ensure that all genuine participants are included in the final empowerment process,” the coalition stated.
The Coalition of Aggrieved 1 Youth 2 Skills Participants (CA-1Y2S) also vowed to continue using every lawful and media platform to press home their demand until justice is done, noting that they will not allow the efforts and sacrifices of genuine trainees to be in vain.
“We are not fighting the government; we are fighting injustice. We gave our time, energy, and creativity to promote this program, and we deserve to be treated fairly. Governor Soludo must not allow truth to die in silence,” the group concluded.
Rhetorically, where has truth gone that falsehood is dancing on the table of fairness, justice, and equity in Anambra? “Ikpe malu eziokwu, aka azu di na ya.”
Signed:
Cordinator:
Okonkwo Samuel
Abagana Ward IV, Njikoka LGA
Secretary:
Oraegbunam Ifeanyi. Mgbakwu ward, Awka North LGA
On behalf of the Coalition of Aggrieved 1 Youth 2 Skills Participants (CA-1Y2S)
Anambra State
Date: 29th October, 2025
