The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-East), Hon. Barr. Mrs. Chioma Nweze, on Sunday stated that transparency and accountability are the key factors sustaining the economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration. She noted that these reforms have stabilized the economy and restored Nigerians' trust in the government.
Empowerment of 95 Youths in Abakaliki
Nweze made these remarks in Abakaliki during the graduation and empowerment of 95 youths who were trained in various vocational skills. She emphasized that President Tinubu has stabilized the economy within three years, improved the lives of the downtrodden, and restored Nigeria's image in the international community. She added that the people have no choice but to support him in the 2027 general election.
The beneficiaries were drawn from 95 local government areas across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states. They received tools and startup funds to begin their businesses.
Skill-Up South East Programme
The programme was sponsored under the Skill-Up South East Programme, a Federal Government initiative aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and self-reliance among young people. Participants underwent vocational training in tailoring, fashion design, and other entrepreneurial skills.
Nweze explained that the programme was designed to equip young people with practical skills, business development knowledge, and financial literacy needed to become successful entrepreneurs and employers of labour. She noted that the initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, inclusive growth, and economic development in the South-East.
Federal Government Interventions in the South-East
The presidential aide highlighted several Federal Government interventions in the region, including the establishment of the South-East Development Commission, investments in road and rail infrastructure, and the student loan scheme under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
She mentioned ongoing infrastructure projects such as the Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway, Abakaliki-Afikpo Road, Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, and the Umuahia-Aba Road reconstruction, which are expected to boost economic activities and facilitate trade across the region.
“The trainees arrived at the vocational centre with little or no technical knowledge but completed the programme with marketable skills that would enable them earn a living and contribute to the economy of the region,” she said. “Each of the fashion design graduates will receive a sewing machine and startup funds to commence business operations immediately.”
“The programme gave them more than training. It gave them financial literacy because skill without business sense is poverty in fine clothes. Today, each of our fashion designers will go home with a brand-new sewing machine and startup funds to start immediately.”
Human Capital Development and Educational Support
Nweze said the Federal Government is also prioritizing human capital development through proposed Renewed Hope Skills Centres and educational support programmes aimed at expanding opportunities for young Nigerians. She urged the graduates to make productive use of the tools and financial support provided, stressing that discipline, hard work, and commitment to excellence would determine their success.
“President Tinubu believes in you. The South-East believes in you. As you collect your tools and seed funds today, remember that this is seed capital under the Renewed Hope Agenda. Plant it, nurture it, and let your success stories inspire others,” she said.
Other Activities and Health Outreach
The presidential aide also outlined activities undertaken by her office over the past year, including a regional free medical outreach programme launched in partnership with the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), Uburu, and the Ebonyi State Government. The health intervention provided free cancer screening, eye testing, prescription glasses, and dialysis services to residents across the South-East.
Nweze commended the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, for supporting healthcare delivery, ICT development, access to potable water, and entrepreneurship initiatives in communities across Ebonyi State. She called on public office holders and privileged individuals to invest in community development and support vulnerable citizens.
Expansion of Skill-Up Programme
The presidential aide further disclosed that her office had expanded the Skill-Up South East Programme to include training in catering, hairdressing, information and communication technology, photography, make-up artistry, and other vocational trades. She said the office had also engaged students and academic communities across tertiary institutions in the region to create awareness about Federal Government programmes and opportunities.
Nweze described community engagement as a vital link between the Presidency and citizens, adding that the office would continue to scale up interventions aimed at improving livelihoods and strengthening economic participation in the South-East.
