Victor EzejaAnambra State government has dissociated itself from a post circulating on social media platforms claiming that it is offering a N2 billion naira empowerment grant to 5,000 Anambra youths.
The governor through a statement by his Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, described the message as a “scam” intended to defraud people by providing a weblink and asking them to share their information for other benefits.
The statement read: “It has come to the attention of the Anambra State Government that a fraudulent message is circulating on various platforms, falsely claiming that Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, is offering a N2 billion naira empowerment grant to 5000 Anambra youths.
“The scam message also provides a link, urging individuals to apply for the said grant and also share the information for others to benefit.
“The Anambra State Government categorically disclaims this message in its entirety and hereby informs the public that it is a blatant scam.”
The statement said the governor has genuine empowerment programmes in place for youths to enable them to learn practical skills.
“Truly, the leadership of Governor Charles Soludo is committed to the genuine empowerment of its youths through initiatives such as the ‘1 Youth, 2 Skills’ programme. This programme focuses on equipping young people with practical skills that will enhance their employability and entrepreneurial capabilities.
“Additionally, the government provides financial support to enable youths to establish themselves as self-reliant individuals. However, the youths are advised that the Anambra State Government does not engage in any form of cash transfer programme through the link provided in the scam message as -‘https://slnkz.com/2bn-grant-empowerment-online-reg.”
“The link is totally fraudulent and unauthorized by the government. Any attempt to access or provide personal information through this link poses a significant risk to individuals.”
It said that “authentic information regarding government empowerment programmes and initiatives is disseminated through official channels, including government websites, press releases, and official social media handles.
“Any information not originating from these official sources should be treated with suspicion and avoided. Also, we urge the public to exercise caution and refrain from sharing such fraudulent messages.
“The Anambra State Government under the leadership of Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo remains committed to the welfare and empowerment of its youths, but in the right way.”
It advised the citizens to stay vigilant, verify information through official channels, and report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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