From Restiveness to Renaissance: Chima Anyaso’s Model for Sustainable Youth Empowerment
~ By Emenike Okorie
One of the biggest challenges confronting the Nigerian government and its people today is insecurity—a menace largely fueled by youth unemployment, poverty, and social frustration. As the saying goes, “a hungry man is an angry man,” and “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.”
It is no longer news that the high rate of youth unemployment, moral decay, and poverty are deeply connected to the rising wave of insecurity, drug abuse, cybercrime, and restiveness in our society. Therefore, if Nigeria must address the issues of crime and insecurity meaningfully, the focus must shift toward sustainable youth empowerment—not mere handouts, but genuine, structured opportunities for growth.
Sustainable Empowerment as a Panacea
Sustainable youth empowerment remains a proven panacea for crime, insecurity, and restiveness, as it provides young people with economic opportunities, vocational training, and a sense of purpose—diverting them from anti-social tendencies. However, such programs must be holistic, inclusive, and sustainable, involving government, educational institutions, and the private sector in addressing root causes like unemployment, inequality, and disempowerment.
This is where Dr. Chimaobi Desmond Anyaso stands out. He is not merely a speaker of empowerment philosophies—he lives them, demonstrates them, and models them through impactful action.
Who Is Dr. Chima Anyaso?
Dr. Chima Anyaso is a renowned Nigerian entrepreneur, industrialist, real estate developer, hospitality promoter, and politician. His excellence has earned him several awards, including the Forbes-rated African Achievers Award for Community Development, Democracy Youth Icon of the Year (2017), and recognition by Vanguard and Champion Newspapers as one of the Top 20 Business Professionals in Nigeria (2023).
In 2023, he was also named Entrepreneur of the Year by Champion Newspapers, and in 2024, Vanguard Newspaper honoured him as Real Estate Icon of the Year.
These honours reflect his selfless contributions to community development and his lifelong commitment to human capital advancement. As one of the most impactful leaders of his generation, Dr. Anyaso’s entrepreneurial ventures have created thousands of jobs for Nigerian youths—many of whom have become employers of labour themselves.
A Heart for Education and Human Capital Development
Dr. Anyaso’s passion for community upliftment and youth education is demonstrated through his Ahuoma Anyaso Education Foundation, an ultra-modern, tuition-free nursery and primary school he established in 2009. The foundation has since provided quality education to over 5,000 pupils—offering free uniforms, books, and covering teachers’ salaries. This commitment to free, quality education is a testament to his belief that empowerment begins with knowledge.
Chima Anyaso Foundation: Empowering a Generation
Through his Chima Anyaso Foundation (CAF), Dr. Anyaso has empowered thousands of youths with vocational training, resources, grants, and mentorship, enabling them to become productive and self-reliant citizens. He emphasizes entrepreneurial training and practical skills acquisition, focusing on sustainability rather than temporary relief.
In 2018 alone, Dr. Anyaso empowered the youths of his local government area, Bende LGA, with over 50 vehicles. Between April 2020 and April 2021, the foundation distributed food items and empowerment materials worth over ₦1 billion to communities across Nigeria—supporting families during tough economic times.
A Beacon of Hope
Dr. Chima Anyaso is more than a philanthropist; he is a beacon of hope to countless young Nigerians. His empowerment programs have transformed lives, nurtured entrepreneurs, and revived communities. He believes that any genuine empowerment initiative must tackle poverty, inequality, and lack of education—the root causes of youth restiveness.
According to Dr. Anyaso, “Our leaders must create industries and opportunities for the youth. We must focus on vocational skills and foster an environment where small businesses can thrive.” He maintains that sustainable empowerment is not just a social intervention—it is the foundation for peace, conflict prevention, and national development.
About the Author:
Hon. Chief Emenike Okorie, FCA (Omenma), is a Political Scientist from the prestigious Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. He is also a Public Affairs Analyst, Poet, Author, and prolific Writer.
