The Ezeagu in Diaspora International Association has trained 267 youths in Enugu State in vocational and digital skills and provided N13.5 million in start up support to help the beneficiaries establish businesses.
The President of the association, Johnmary Anagolu, disclosed this on Sunday, October 4, 2026, during the empowerment and graduation ceremony held in Enugu.
Anagolu said the beneficiaries were trained in about 20 vocational and digital skills, including catering, baking, fashion and design, information and communication technology, web development, solar power installation and CCTV installation.
Other areas of training included modern farming, shoe and bag making, make-up, barbing and content creation.
He said the beneficiaries received certificates after completing six months of practical training and meeting the required certification standards.
According to Anagolu, the programme is part of the association’s N100 million youth empowerment initiative aimed at equipping young people with practical skills for self-reliance, business development and job creation.
He disclosed that the programme was inaugurated by Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, on September 27, 2025, at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.
Anagolu said more than 1,200 youths registered within 48 hours of the programme’s announcement, while the first batch comprised more than 500 participants drawn from communities across Ezeagu.
He explained that 267 participants eventually graduated after completing their training, undergoing practical examinations and meeting the certification requirements.
The association’s president said more than N33 million was spent on the training, while N13.5 million was provided as start up support for the graduates.
He said the initiative was designed not only to provide skills but also to ensure that beneficiaries could translate their training into sustainable livelihoods, businesses and employment opportunities.
Anagolu said the association had also established monitoring mechanisms involving coordinators, local organising committees and training vendors to track the beneficiaries and ensure sustainability.
He appealed to the Enugu State Government to support the second phase of the programme, expressing the association’s commitment to expanding the initiative and making it an annual empowerment scheme.
Beyond youth empowerment, he said the association had supported community security with equipment, paid WAEC and NECO examination fees for 30 indigent students and promoted modern agricultural practices.
He added that plans were underway to expose selected youths to modern farming practices in Brazil.
Anagolu urged community leaders to continue encouraging young people to embrace vocational and digital skills as pathways to self reliance, employment and community development.
By Enitan Mudashiru | MUK TV News
