FCC Commissioner Eze to empower Enugu Youths through jobs, grants, scholarships

Mercy Iheoma Ihedigbo

Federal Commissioner representing Enugu State at the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hon. Peter Eze, has announced the maiden edition of Peter Eze Youth Connect 2026, a youth-focused initiative aimed at helping young people in the state gain access to employment, education, funding and other legitimate opportunities for personal and economic advancement.

The programme is scheduled to hold on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Enugu, with the theme: “Beyond Quotas: Unlocking Opportunities for Enugu Youths Through the Federal Character Commission.”

According to Eze, the initiative is designed to take youth empowerment beyond rhetoric by providing participants with practical information, guidance and connections needed to identify, access and maximise available opportunities.

He said the programme would expose young people to opportunities in employment, international scholarships, government and private-sector programmes, grants, fellowships, internships, digital careers, professional development, entrepreneurship and leadership.

Eze explained that the objective was not simply to inform young people that opportunities exist, but to equip them with the knowledge and skills required to successfully pursue them.

“Our objective is to help young people understand where legitimate opportunities exist, how to identify them, how to apply, what is required, and how to position themselves for success,” he said.

The Federal Commissioner noted that many young Nigerians possess the talent, determination and capacity to succeed but are often disadvantaged by a lack of timely and accurate information about available opportunities.

He said Peter Eze Youth Connect 2026 was conceived to bridge that information gap by creating a platform where young people could learn about opportunities and receive practical guidance on how to take advantage of them.

According to him, access to information is increasingly becoming a critical factor in determining who benefits from employment, education, funding and other opportunities available at both national and international levels.

Eze said participants at the event would receive career and opportunity guidance designed to help them better understand application processes, eligibility requirements and the steps needed to position themselves competitively.

He urged young people in Enugu State to take advantage of the initiative, stressing that access to the right information, combined with preparation, determination and persistence, could significantly improve their chances of achieving their career and personal goals.

The Federal Commissioner also challenged youths to change their approach to opportunities by becoming proactive rather than waiting for opportunities to come to them.

He described the initiative as a call for young people to actively identify opportunities, prepare themselves adequately and pursue available pathways to economic and professional advancement.

The maiden edition of Peter Eze Youth Connect is expected to attract young people interested in career development, entrepreneurship, education, leadership, digital opportunities, employment and professional growth.

Eze said the programme would also provide an avenue for young people to connect, learn and begin building networks that could support their aspirations beyond the event.

He stressed that the initiative represents an opportunity to begin a new conversation about youth development in Enugu State, particularly on how young people can gain meaningful access to opportunities available through government institutions, private organisations and international platforms.

The Federal Commissioner called on Enugu youths to come prepared to learn, connect and explore the opportunities that would be presented at the event.

He encouraged participants to see the programme not merely as another youth gathering, but as a platform capable of providing useful information and connections that could influence their careers, education, businesses and prospects.

Eze reiterated that the ultimate goal was to help young people move beyond merely hearing about opportunities to understanding how to access and maximise them.

He therefore urged Enugu youths to join the initiative and take advantage of the platform to position themselves for opportunities that could contribute to their personal development and the broader economic growth of the state.

With its focus on practical access to employment, education, funding, entrepreneurship and professional opportunities, Peter Eze Youth Connect 2026 is expected to provide a fresh platform for empowering Enugu youths with the information and connections needed to compete effectively in an increasingly competitive environment.