ITF DG Urges 285 Trainees To Contribute Towards Revamping Nigeria’s Economy

Yakubu Busari

The Director General/Chief Executive of the Industrial Training Fund,ITF,Sir Joseph N. Ari, KSM, KSS has said, about 285 youths were trained in Solar Power Installation, Aluminium Fabrication, and Tiling and Laying of Interlocking Blocks, Wig Cap Making and Integrated Farming in Plateau State which lasted 3 months, comprised theoretical, practical and entrepreneurial aspects.

He made disclosure at the closing ceremony of the 2022 ITF skills intervention programmes on Tuesday, 21ST February, 2023, at the ITF headquarters multipurpose hall, Jos.

Ari said ,the graduation ceremony and distribution of start-up packs to beneficiaries of the 2022 National Industrial Skills Development Programmes (NISDP), Women Skills Empowerment Programme (WOSEP) and Agripreneurship Skills Empowerment Programme (AgSEP).

According to him,  the significance of this year to our democracy is not lost on us, I therefore urge us all to come out en masse and perform our civic responsibility to Nigeria by voting in credible leaders.

He disclosed that Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Barr. Simon Bako Lalong, CON,  has been very instrumental in the successes the Industrial Training Fund has recorded in implementing its various skills acquisition programmes over the years in Plateau State.

Joseph Ari said that,” Governor Lalong  have contributed immensely to our training programmes, as the Plateau State Government under your leadership has often sponsored and procured start-up packs for additional trainees of our various skills intervention programmes.

This has enabled us to impact more Nigerian youths than we would have done without this strategic collaboration. On behalf of the Governing Council, Management and entire staff of the ITF, we thank you for your tremendous show of support to our organisation. Your Excellency sir, we are grateful”he said .

He also applauded the  supervising Ministers in the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, His Excellency, Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo, CON, and his counterpart the Minister of State, Her Excellency, Ambassador Mariam Yalwaji Katagum, who have been tremendous sources of inspiration for the implementation of our various skills acquisition programmes and have propelled us to the achievements of our set targets.

He noted,”  that their support has motivated us to new levels of performance leading to the empowerment of thousands of Nigerians with skills

The Industrial Training Fund has over the years developed numerous skills intervention programmes to promote entrepreneurship, employability, job and wealth creation to reduce youth restiveness and also promote the diversification of the Nigerian economy in line with the Federal Government’s policy.

The programmes were specifically designed to breed a new generation of entrepreneurs.

This phase of the NISDP, WOSEP and AGSEP commenced in the last quarter of 2022 and trained several Nigerian youths,”he said .

In all, thousands of Nigerians were equipped with skills in 7 trades namely, Plumbing and Pipefitting, Hair Dressing, Aluminium Fabrication, Solar Power Installation, Tiling and Laying of Interlocking Blocks, Wig Cap Making and Integrated Farming.

We believe that given the intensity and the very practical nature of the training, which was 80 percent practical and 20 percent theory, they were equipped with the necessary skills and attitudes for them to thrive as employees or as entrepreneurs.

When tied with the trades, which were chosen after careful and in-depth need analysis of their locales, we have no doubt they will thrive, as the trades they have learned will always be needed .

Joseph Ari stated that ,ITF  commitment to skills acquisition is premised on the fact that it remains the most viable and sustainable solution to rising unemployment and poverty that have continued to defy the best efforts of Governmental and non-Governmental approaches. Indeed, there are countless reasons for us to worry as Government, and as institutions vested with the arduous task of equipping Nigerians with the life skills for employability and entrepreneurship.

He , therefore seize the opportunity to appeal to other State Governments, the Organised Private Sector (OPS), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO), Faith-Based Organisations, Politicians and other stakeholders to collaborate with the ITF in our efforts to training Nigerians. It could be by way of sponsorship of additional trainees for our various skills programmes, or by buying start-up packs for beneficiaries of the programmes. Only through such collaborations will the Fund be able to train as many youths to impact the Nigerian environment.

Ari  also urged the beneficiaries, who will be presented with start-up packs shortly, to resolve to utilise the opportunity provided by this training.

You should consider the start-up packs as your ticket to the world and an opportunity to meaningfully contribute to the Nigerian economy.