FG empowers artisans, technicians in Kano

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering artisans and technicians at the grassroots to meet global standards, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr. Afiz Ogun, stated this while officially opening the Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) Zonal Rally in Kano State.

The rally is designed to raise awareness of the SUPA programme across the North-West region.

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Dr. Ogun, who was represented at the event by a former ITF Zonal Director, Alhaji Muhammad Aminu, explained that the SUPA initiative is aimed at transforming artisans’ skills into sustainable livelihoods, with the long-term goal of turning beneficiaries into employers of labour.

According to him, the programme seeks to restore dignity to skilled work by equipping artisans with relevant competencies that form the backbone of a strong and productive economy.

The North-West Zonal Director of ITF, Dauda Mshelizah, said the SUPA programme has recorded remarkable success since its inception, targeting artisans across various trades including electrical installation, plumbing, carpentry, tailoring and agriculture.

Mshelizah noted that beneficiaries were selected strictly on merit and posted to accredited training centres, stressing the importance of participants cascading the skills and knowledge acquired to others to drive national development.

Also speaking, the Director of Technical Skills and Vocational Training at ITF, Mrs. Nancy Ekong, said the programme is structured to upgrade artisans to international standards, promote talent export and enable beneficiaries to contribute meaningfully to their communities as employers of labour.

Participants at the rally described the initiative as timely and impactful, citing improved networking opportunities and access to new professional engagements as some of the benefits derived from the programme.