Anambra: Ex-guber Candidate, Ozigbo, Urges Maximising Youths’ Potential

A former governorship candidate in Anambra State, Valentine Ozigbo, has underscored the need to maximise the youth potentials in the state, noting that they are “unimaginably wealthy” as well as the greatest treasure the state can boast of.

Ozigbo, who is also the founder of Valentine Chineto Ozigbo (VCO)  Foundation, stated this at the selection of 100 youths in Anambra State to undergo extensive training in software engineering beginning in July 2023.

The initiator is a joint venture between VCO Foundation and Decagon Institute to chart new frontiers in software engineering and eradicate youth unemployment in Anambra State.

The partnership, which was announced in mid-June, is a N400 million project. The selection process culminated in 100 fortunate individuals, comprising 27 females and 73 males, all under the age of 30.

Ozigbo, who spoke about the partnership’s achievements said, “We stand today at the threshold of a new dawn for Ndi Anambra. Through our ground-breaking collaboration with Decagon Institute, we are empowering the dreams and aspirations of our youth through this transformative journey.

“The sheer brilliance of the 1700 applicants is a testament to the boundless potential in Nigeria’s youth.

“What we are marking here with this partnership with Decagon is not a milestone but an awakening of possibilities, a celebration of the talent that resides in every corner of our beloved land.

“Anambra is unimaginably wealthy, and its greatest treasure is its people, and the creme-de-la-creme of us is our youth.

“We are humbled to be sowing the seeds of technology and education in our greatest treasure and waiting eagerly for the harvest of progress that is sure to follow,” Ozigbo declared.

According to Mr Chika Nwobi, CEO of Decagon Institute, “VCO Foundation’s N400 million guarantee is a game-changer, ensuring this enriching programme is accessible to talented individuals irrespective of their financial standing. We are grateful for the generosity of Valentine Ozigbo, a true trailblazer and champion for the youth.”

The first batch of 70 trainees is set to commence their training at the Decagon Edo Campus on July 13, 2023 with the remaining 30 joining in late August or early September.

Candidates selected represent the 21 local government areas of Anambra. The females hail from Aguata (6), Awka North (3), Awka South (3), Idemili North (3), Idemili South (3), Ihiala (1), Njikoka (2), Oyi (2), Nnewi North (1), and Ogbaru (1).

The male contingent originates from Aguata (7), Anaocha (7), Awka North (2), Awka South (5), Ayamelum (2), Dunukofia (2), Ekwusigo (3), Idemili North (7), Idemili South (5), Ihiala (4), Njikoka (3), Nnewi North (4), Nnewi South (4), Ogbaru (1), Orumba North (3), Orumba South (2), and Oyi (2).

This initiative represents a stride towards bridging the skills gap and fostering diversity in the tech realm for the indigenous people of Anambra.