Empowerment Programme Connects Young People to Jobs, Skills, Technology, Agribusiness and Fully Funded U.S. Scholarships.
Enugu Media Village (EMV), the Most Updated Online News Platform | September 16, 2026.
ENUGU — More than 5,000 youths from across Enugu State converged on the International Conference Centre (ICC), Enugu, on Thursday, September 10, 2026, for the maiden Peter Eze Youth Connect 2026, an empowerment and opportunity-focused programme designed to expose young people to employment, education, entrepreneurship, technology and skills-development opportunities.
The programme, themed “Beyond Quotas: Unlocking Opportunities for Enugu Youths through the Federal Character Commission,” was organised by the Federal Commissioner representing Enugu State in the Federal Character Commission, Hon. Peter Ogbonna Eze.
From as early as 7:00 a.m., the ICC venue was filled with an energetic gathering of youths, parents, guardians and stakeholders. Registration commenced early as participants arrived in large numbers, with the 5,000-capacity main bowl eventually filled to capacity even before the scheduled 10:00 a.m. commencement.
The programme was officially declared open by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, who represented Governor Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
In his remarks, Prof. Onyia commended Peter Eze and the Federal Character Commission for creating a platform through which Enugu youths could gain access to relevant information, empowerment opportunities and career guidance. He also highlighted various youth-oriented initiatives and developmental programmes of the Mbah administration.
Addressing the gathering, Hon. Peter Ogbonna Eze urged youths to remain prepared, informed and persistent in pursuing employment and other opportunities.
He encouraged participants to apply for advertised vacancies whenever they become available and to follow through with their applications. He also challenged young people to reject misconceptions surrounding access to federal employment and instead rely on legitimate application processes and credible information.
Eze expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and others for entrusting him with the responsibility of representing Enugu State on the Federal Character Commission. He equally thanked the youths for their impressive turnout and assured them of his continued commitment to youth empowerment.
The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Hon. Mrs. Ayo Omidiran, provided participants with an overview of the constitutional responsibilities of the Commission and highlighted opportunities available to Nigerian youths seeking employment.
She also explained steps applicants could take to improve their prospects while commending Peter Eze for his youth-focused initiatives.
One of the keynote speakers, Senator Dr. Barr. Emmanuel Onwe, challenged the youths to prepare themselves continuously for opportunities, stressing the importance of knowledge, personal development and readiness.
Development expert and agribusiness specialist, Mr. Ronald Oroh, also exposed participants to opportunities within the agricultural sector, encouraging them to acquire relevant training, register for available programmes and explore agribusiness as a pathway to income generation and job creation.
Experts from DELYORK (IDICE) further introduced the youths to opportunities in technology, agriculture and skills acquisition, while representatives of Jobberman provided practical guidance on accessing employment opportunities and developing essential tools such as business plans, proposals and feasibility studies.
Five Youths Receive Fully Funded U.S. Scholarships
One of the major highlights of the programme was the award of five fully funded scholarships to study in the United States of America—three for undergraduate programmes and two for postgraduate studies.
The selection process was supervised by Hon. Mrs. Ayo Omidiran, Senator Emmanuel Onwe and the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu.
The undergraduate beneficiaries were:
- Uche Michael Kenechukwu — Udi LGA
- Miss Okoro Vivian — Igbo-Eze North LGA
- Chukwu Emeka David Chiemerie — Nkanu West LGA
The postgraduate beneficiaries were:
- Hon. Odo Emmanuel Nnamdi — Udenu LGA
- Ugwu Chimobi — Nsukka LGA
The beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the organisers, describing the scholarships and the wider programme as valuable opportunities that expanded their knowledge of available career and educational pathways.
The event also featured cultural entertainment by the Global Dance Cultural Troupe, goodwill messages, testimonies from beneficiaries of previous interventions, and an interactive question-and-answer session during which youths engaged directly with the convener.
Despite the programme extending until approximately 6:30 p.m., participants remained engaged through the closing session, reflecting the sustained interest generated by the discussions and opportunities presented.
A Platform for Youth Opportunity and Participation
Beyond the large turnout, the Peter Eze Youth Connect 2026 provided a platform for young people to interact with public officials, development professionals, employment experts and other stakeholders.
The programme brought together thousands of youths around conversations on employment, education, technology, entrepreneurship, agriculture and skills development.
The event also demonstrated the importance of providing young people with credible information and practical platforms through which they can identify and pursue opportunities.
Among the dignitaries present were the Enugu State APC Chairman, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike; Deputy Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Prince Ezenta Ezeani; Majority Leader, Hon. Johnson Ani; members of the National and State Houses of Assembly; commissioners; government appointees; captains of industry; friends and well-wishers, among others.
The success of the programme has further placed youth empowerment, access to information and opportunity creation at the centre of conversations about the future of young people in Enugu State.
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