By Isaac Mission
Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has urged young people across the state to take advantage of employment, skills-development and other opportunities provided by the Federal Government.
Mbah said youths must combine proper preparation with access to credible information and meaningful networks to improve their chances of benefiting from available opportunities.
The governor made the call through the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, during the Peter Eze Youth Connect programme organised by the Federal Character Commission (FCC) at the Enugu International Conference Centre.
The programme, themed “Beyond Quotas: Unlocking Opportunities for Enugu Youths Through the Federal Character Commission,” attracted youths, graduates, entrepreneurs, farmers, professionals and other stakeholders from different parts of the state.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of five fully funded scholarships to Enugu youths for studies in the United States. The scholarships were sponsored by friends of Peter Eze based in the diaspora.
Mbah described the gesture as a demonstration of how strategic connections could create opportunities capable of transforming the lives of young people and their families.
The governor also stressed that the federal character principle should not be viewed solely in terms of securing positions through quotas, noting that young Nigerians must also be equipped to take advantage of opportunities when they arise.
According to him, entitlement alone does not guarantee success without access, preparation and the ability to utilise available opportunities.
Mbah further highlighted skills-acquisition initiatives involving young people from the South-East, including technical training opportunities in China. He said returning beneficiaries could use the knowledge acquired to promote innovation, businesses and economic development in the region.
He also pointed to initiatives aimed at connecting young farmers with international markets and providing career guidance as examples of programmes designed to move beyond representation and deliver practical benefits to citizens.
The governor identified the planned concession of Akanu Ibiam International Airport as one of the developments expected to strengthen trade and connectivity in Enugu.
He also mentioned the partnership between the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Enugu State Government to transform the Federal Government Digital Industrial Park into an Enugu Talent City and Artificial Intelligence Institute.
FCC Warns Against Paying for Government Jobs
The FCC Chairman, Mrs Ayo Omidiran, urged young Nigerians to disregard the belief that Federal Government employment opportunities are reserved for people with connections or those willing to pay.
Omidiran stated that government jobs are open to qualified Nigerians and warned that vacancies should not be sold to applicants.
She assured participants that the commission would challenge any agency that unfairly denies a state its legitimate share of employment opportunities.
She advised youths to regularly monitor official vacancy announcements and submit applications whenever they meet the requirements.
Peter Eze, convener of the programme, similarly encouraged young people to prepare themselves adequately, apply through legitimate channels and report anyone demanding money in exchange for government employment.
The event ultimately emphasised the need for Enugu youths to become better prepared, more informed and proactive in pursuing opportunities rather than waiting for government appointments or relying solely on federal character quotas.
Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government has approved an additional N115 million monthly subvention for Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) amid the ongoing ASUU strike.
The latest intervention increases the state's monthly financial support to the university from N161 million to N276 million.
The state government has also appealed to ASUU members at ESUT to suspend the industrial action and return to the classrooms in the interest of students.
