LG Mayor (standing), addressing the gathering while Igwe, first Right, listens
Nwafor festival: LG Mayor to empower 40 Ogidi youths with #.5m each in Anambra
By Chinwe Nwacha, Onitsha
No fear than 40 youths from Ogidi community, Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra state, will be empowered with #500,000:each after their one-youth two-skills acquisition training program to enable them be self reliance and be kept busy from involving themselves in crimes and criminality.
The Mayor of the council area, Chief Stanley Nkwoka, dropped the hint during a youth carnival held at Ogidi town hall to mark the end of a week long annual Nwafor festival that attracted people from all walks of life.
Addressing the gathering, the Mayor recalled that, "Governor Chukwuma Soludo empowered 5,000 youths and I vow to emulate him by picking a youth from each community in Idemili North", but added that if the community is lucky the number could be increased to two or three.
"He stated further that, "I am picking 40 youths because the community invited me to come to the rescue of the youths. If others invite me I will do same but for now Ogidi youths invited me.
"On completion/graduation of their skill acquisition scheme the local government will fund them with #500,000 each, to help them establish what they have learnt," he further explained.
Also on the Nwafor festival he said, "It is a good celebration and youths came out en masse, I am so happy that youths trouped out en masse, it is well organized," the LG boss stated.
Earlier in his speech, the monarch of the community, Igwe Pharmacist Alex Onyido explained that Nwafor festival is an end to farming season and time to rest after farming season describing it as a popular tradition that features all manners of masquerades.
"Nwafor festival Marks the end of farming season and in the next two months we will celebrate Mgbe Agbogho, Iwaji and Ilo Mmuo will follow suit. Today that is Sunday is set aside as youth carnival.
"We made it to be our tradition, to help keep the youths busy. If you are busy you will not be involve in crime," he stated.
