...Unveils Career Development Mentorship Programme
From Uchenna Ezeadigwe
Awka
The Anambra State Town Unions Council, Youth Wing (known as ASTUC YOUTH) has inaugrated the twenty one local government youth-mayors, three Zonal liaison officers as well as sworn in twelve youth leaders who will oversee the activities of the youths in their various communities.
The event, hallmarked by the presence of the state executives, former youth-mayors, leaders and community youth executives from some communities, was held at the ASTUC secretariat hall, Government House, Awka, on Saturday, 21st, Feb, 2026.
In his welcome remark, the President General ASTUC youth wing, his Youthfulness, Comrade Ken Okoli disclosed that the inauguration of the newly elected youth leaders was a mandate from the bye-law so as to official welcome them as members of ASTUC YOUTH. The swearing in of the 21 youth-mayors was also constitutional mandate of Mr President who appoints them to represent him at the LGA level and takes charge of the members within the LGA. The swearing in of the zonal liaison officers was another strategic effort to consolidate the success of the Council in driving its programmes at the grassroots level.
According to Okoli, "you leaders are the representatives of your communities not yourself. Keep personal interest away and maintain the status quo expected of you in the discharge of your duties and responsibilities. We are here to build bridges that will be beneficial to Anambra youths, let your goals be to build links across, and promote harmonising relationships among communities. "
Comrade Okoli tasked the newly appointed mayors and youth leaders to propagate themselves as Ambassador of peace in their different communities, as this will bring everyone together with peace, love and unity for greater Anambra.
Speaking on the unveling of the mentorship programme, His Youthfulness, emphasized that the Career Development Mentorship Programme is structured in a way to train the Mentors who are already done with university education and experienced in their area of specialities, so as to enable them train the mentees who are yet to experience the struggles of real life, our younger generations.
"the reason behind this Career Development Mentorship training is that we want to raise men and women that will care more about the younger generation towards building a successful career. Our target this year is to train ten thousand career development mentors that will help to teach career development seminars and provide mentorship service to our youths. Apart from the challenges of work, younger people experience challenges of choosing their career, teaching them the right knowledge about their career goals will enable them to make right decisions on their goals and aspirations. In Anambra state as leaders of young people we want to provide leadership skills to our younger ones. So we want to train these ten thousand resource persons that will continue to teach others in their different areas of interest or careers."
Speaking on behalf of the Mayors, Orumba North Mayor, Comrade Ikechukwu Robison, and Mayor, Oyi Local Govt. Chief Sir Chinedu Nwokedi, thanked the leadership of ASTUC Youth for believing in them and promised to do more, as more responsibilities have been handed over to them to deliver.
They however, assured to execute inclusive leadership, citing that plans are already underground for youth empowerment programmes.
In the same vein, one of the Newly elected youth leader from Eziowelle community, Comrade Bob Francis Nzekwesi expressed happiness over the appointment and promised to deliver even democracy, promote peace amd unity within his community by establishing programmes that will keep the youths busy and out of the streets.
Nzekwesi, urged the youths to desist from any form of criminality, cultsim, drug abuse but embrace vocational and empowerment programmes that will give them meaninful livelihoods and make them responsible citizens.
Meanwhile, the twelve elected youth leaders were from Abetete, Nanka, Eziowelle, Igbariam, Amaokpala, Ukpor, Amaetiti, OMOR, Omasi, Umueri, Awgbu, Eziagu communites.
Among dignitaries present were the one of the pioneer member of the association, Comrade Francis Chibuko from Nteje community, Barrister Godwin Ibeabuchi who led the legal proceedings, and Youth-Mayor Dunukofia, Comrade Chijioke Egbuna, among others.