14/11/2025
OSAE Committee Visit at the Government house. Heartily welcome & received by the Permanent Secretary to the Commissioner for Industry. Engr. Micheal Obiekwe.
REPORT ON OBA SKILL ACQUISITION AND EMPOWERMENT TEAM VISIT TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR INDUSTRY- Mr. Christian Udechukwu
Date:22nd August 2025
Today, the representative team of the *Oba Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Initiative* paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Commissioner for Industry, Anambra State. Although the Commissioner was unavoidably absent due to his engagement with international development partners visiting Anambra State, he delegated the *Permanent Secretary*, *Engr. Mike Obiekwe*, to receive the delegation on his behalf.
While awaiting the arrival of the Permanent Secretary, the team coincidentally met with the *President General of Oba* and his entourage. Both teams consolidated efforts and were jointly received by the Permanent Secretary.
Upon commencement of the meeting and after breaking of cola(all protocols observed), the Permanent Secretary requested an opening remark, which was delivered by *Mrs. Eboh-Nwosu J.N.*, Director of Industry. She presented the vision of the initiative as inspired by the *Igwe of Oba*, which is aimed at training and empowering youths in various vocational and entrepreneurial skills to reduce crime and promote self-reliance in the Oba community.
The Director emphasized that the initiative is in alignment with the Anambra State Government’s industrialization and youth empowerment strategy and encouraged the community to leverage existing government training schemes.
The Chairman of the Oba Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Committee, *Prof. Dozie Onunkwo* further gave a detailed breakdown of the skills required and the vision for training targeted at economic transformation both in Oba and Anambra State at large.
The Permanent Secretary expressed his satisfaction and enthusiasm, commending the clarity of the vision and the structured approach of the team. He gave his *expert advice* on the following:
- Immediate commencement of *data collection* to capture the number and type of interested participants across Oba community.
- The *establishment of a physical Skill Acquisition Centre* in Oba that will serve as a dedicated training hub.
- Provision of an *office space for the coordinating committee* within the Centre to ensure effective administration and sustainability of the program.
- *classification* according to male and female. We should be gender friendly.
The team shared that data collection had already begun following a meeting with community stakeholders and distribution of structured forms.
In a follow-up to the meeting, the Honourable Commissioner personally reached out to the director via phone to reaffirm his commitment to the success of the initiative. He spoke directly with the Committee Chairman, assuring him of the Ministry’s full backing and support to ensure the realization of the Oba Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Centre.
*Conclusion:*
The meeting was impactful, focused, and fruitful. It reinforced the shared commitment between Oba community leaders and the Anambra State Government to empower youth and build a prosperous, self-reliant society.
In attendance of the meeting are:
1. *Prof. Dozie Onunkwo* – *Chairman, Committee*
2. *Evangelist Daniel Ositadimma* – *Member*
3. *Rt. Hon. Emeka Anyaneto* – *Attendee*
4. *Hon. Barr. Chuba Oranusi* – *Attendee*
5. *Engr. Anthony Uzo* – *Participant*
6. *Eboh-Nwosu J.N.* – *Director, Industry*
7. *Aniagbakwu Chioma* – *Director of Accounts*
8. *Engr. Michael Obiekwe* – *Permanent Secretary*
