The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has approved a ₦50,000 monthly stipend for executive members and elected community youth leaders across the 179 communities in the state, under the umbrella of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) Youth Wing.
The initiative is the first of its kind in the state’s history and aims to support youth leaders with logistics and operational costs as they execute community-based leadership roles.
This was announced during a two-day leadership and capacity-building workshop themed “The Role of ASATU Youth in Deepening and Consolidating Leadership, Security, Governance, and Value System for Community Development in Line with the Solution Agenda of Mr. Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo.”
The event was held at the ASATU Secretariat, Old Government House, Awka, the state capital and was jointly organised by the ASATU Youth Wing, the Office of the Accountant General of the Local Government, and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).
Speaking at the event, the President-General of ASATU Youth Wing, Comrade Ken Okoli, described the stipend as a historic and motivational gesture that reflects the Soludo administration’s commitment to empowering youth.
“This is the first time since the creation of Anambra State in 1991 that youth leaders are receiving this level of recognition. It’s a testament to the governor’s confidence in the youth. We are more motivated than ever to drive development at the grassroots,” Okoli said.
He also applauded Governor Soludo for other youth-centric policies and expressed unwavering support ahead of the November 8, 2025, gubernatorial election, pledging “100 out of 100 votes” from the youth wing.
The Governor, who was represented at the workshop by his deputy, Onyekachukwu Ibezim, commended the organisers for aligning the training with the administration’s Solution Agenda. He challenged the youth to lead with integrity, sacrifice, and vision, urging them to “change gears” where necessary and remain accountable to their communities. “Youthfulness is a mindset. The future of our communities lies in the quality of youth leadership today,” Ibezim emphasised.
Keynote speaker and Member of the Anambra State House of Assembly representing Anaocha II Constituency, Mr. Ejike Okechukwu, focused his address on the role of civic institutions in building a just society.
He urged youth leaders to engage philanthropists and not rely solely on government support for community development. Okechukwu also decried the negative influence of cybercrime on young people, advocating a return to traditional mentorship and business models such as the once-thriving Boy Boy Training System.
Other speakers included Commissioner for Youth Development, Comrade Patrick Agha Mba; Commissioner for Lands, Prof. Offomze Amucheazi; and civil society leader, Prince Chris Azor. All echoed support for the continued inclusion of youth in governance and lauded Governor Soludo’s focus on human capital development.
The workshop, which included practical sessions led by ITF facilitators, aimed to build grassroots leadership capacity and encourage a new mindset among youth leaders. Attendees were trained on leadership fundamentals, ethical governance, and strategies for driving community development.