By Chidi Ugwu, Abuja
In a grandiose ceremony that echoed the triumph of human spirit, His Royal Majesty, HRM Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu, Igwe Ogadagidi, the traditional ruler of Edem Ani Ogwugwu Ancient Kingdom in Enugu State, and Chairman, South East Council of Traditional Rulers, recently flagged off the Edem Youth Empowerment Programme in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nigeria.
This momentous occasion which took place on May 26, 2024, marked a significant milestone in the journey of empowering the youth, as the revered monarch embarked on a mission to transform the lives of 24 young individuals from his ancient kingdom to live and explore job or business opportunities in the FCT.
The Edem Youth Empowerment Programme is a comprehensive initiative designed to provide for the beneficiaries the needed push to enable them set up their private businesses in their chosen field of study, or secure gainful employment in the capital city.
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The programme is structured to provide a holistic approach to youth development, encompassing education, entrepreneurship, and personal growth by offering a platform for young individuals to hone their talents and pursue their passion in Nigeria’s administrative and political capital city.
Under the arrangements, some blocks of comfortable flats were rented for the 24 beneficiaries, some of which are graduates of diverse disciplines, while others have learnt one trade or the other, where they will live in the next two years with adequate provision for feeding, and monthly allowance of N40,000 each.
Speaking during the event, Igwe Ogadagidi urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deepen investments in skills development and acquisition , create more opportunities for the youths to tap into the massive potentials of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
According to him, providing the youths with skills, empowering them to fend for themselves and show of love were part of the many ways government could address the high rate of crime and restiveness amongst the youths.
He said: “My vision is to make people have skills because when they have skills there will be less crimes and the society will be better.
“There are opportunities in Abuja and the present government is interested in the youths so even though they are just one year in office, I want to see them do better, do more than they are doing now.
“They have an opportunity to train those who are into IT. There is new artificial intelligence coming they (the youths) need to be groomed, to be nurtured.
“The youths in this country needs tio be loved, we need to show them that they are really the leaders of tomorrow because we wont be here for a very long time and we have to hand over to them.”
Explaining why he choose to sponsor some of the youths in his kingdom to live in Abuja, he said, “Tinubu has made Abuja safe, I came here and I saw that Abuja is like overseas, there are lots of opportunities here and I am glad that those guys are very educated.
“It is painful when you see graduates in the village climbing trees and drinking every night it pains me maybe because I came from an exposed background.”
The Monarch who is a trained nurse and lived in America for 29 years added, “My job is to leave the world better than I met it and i wsh we can collectively work on that
“I am giving them opportunities to meet friends and mingle and again, I wish the government, philanthropists and well to do individuals can help me give them employment. All I am looking for my community is opportunities,. I love them so much and they love me back.”
Igwe Asadu who runs various empowerment programmes including in agriculture , health, infrastructure and education to bring succour to many of his people added, “I wish the government can ask me, bring me in, put me on the board of youth empowerment so that I can lend my ideas.”
Earlier in the year, the Monarch had empowered 63 youths with N1m each to start up businesses or boost existing ones. The move according to him was to address unemployment, curb crime in the community and Enugu State in general.
HRM Asadu, Igwe Ogadagidi, has long been recognized for his unwavering commitment to the betterment of his community having earlier built and equipped a hospital where community members attend free of charge.
His tireless efforts to uplift the lives of his people have earned him a reputation as a visionary leader, and his latest initiative is a testament to his unrelenting dedication to the cause of youth empowerment.
The programme’s launch in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, marked a significant step forward in the quest to empower the youth.
The ceremony, attended by dignitaries and stakeholders from across the region, was a powerful testament to the potential of the programme to transform the lives of countless young individuals. As HRM Asadu, Igwe Ogadagidi, officially flagged off the programme, he emphasized the importance of investing in the future of the youth, stating, “The youth are the backbone of our society, and it is our duty to empower them to reach their full potential.”
Igwe Asadu is a philantropist and a nurse who had a successful career in the United States of America, where he sojourned for 27 years.
Igwe Ọgadagidi became Chairman, South East Council of Traditional Rulers, by virtue of his appointment as Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council.
The post was zoned to Enugu State and the rule is that whoever is Chairman of the council in the state it is zoned to, automatically chairs the regional body.
Igwe Ogadagidi is a holder of many traditional and social titles. He took the prestigious Ozor title in 1994. He has been the Asogwa Ozalla since 2013. He is a member of the prestigious Oha Edem-Ani and Oha Edem. He is equally a member of Edem Project Group, a foremost group of elite from Edem who are evangelically committed to the development of Edem community.
He is also a member of the Elite Peoples Club of Nigeria USA branch, amongst others.
The philanthropist believes in the inherent values of family life and is a husband of one wife. He is happily married to the love of his life, Lady (Lolo) Happiness Eberechukwu Asadu (Lolo Akudo) and the marriage is blessed with four wonderful children.
