The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Mariam Yalwajj Katagum, has commended the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) for its empowerment of thousands of Nigerian youths with cutting edge skills for entrepreneurship and employability in line with President Buhari’s policy on poverty eradication and job and wealth creation.
Ambassador Katagun who gave the commendation at the Industrial Training Fund’s golden Jubilee celebration at Corporate Headquarters of the organisation in Jos, Plateau State, on Friday, said the Fund truly deserves to be celebrated as it marks its 50th anniversary in view of its numerous achievements over the years.
She pointed out that the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has been one of the key agencies of government that have accounted for the numerous successes and achievements that the Ministry for Industry, Trade and Investment has recorded over the years.
The minister further explained that the present administration under the leadership of President Mohammadu Buhari has demonstrated in the last five years its determination to turn around the fortunes of this country from dependence on oil by diversifying the economy as evident through robust policies like the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).
She said one major driver of the policy has been the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) which has played a key role in the diversification of the resource base of the economy by promoting trade and investment with special emphasis on increased production and export of non-oil and gas products that will lead to Job/Wealth creation and poverty reduction.
“The Ministry has pursued this mandate with vigour by ensuring that service delivery of its agencies was enhanced to stimulate the growth of the domestic economy for self-reliance. The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has been one of the key agencies of government that have accounted for the numerous successes and achievements that the Ministry has recorded over the years.”
According to her, it was in appreciation of its vital role that in 2018, the ITF was named as Star Partner for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development in Nigeria and again recognized in 2019 with the Award of Excellence as Outstanding MSMEs Clinic Partner.
Said he: “Similarly, the ITF was among the few Agencies that were requested by the Federal Government to forward submissions on lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.
“If its proposal, which is currently receiving the attention of the committee responsible is assented to, the ITF will train over 7million Nigerians in the Agriculture, Construction and Facility Maintenance, Information and Communication Technology, Manufacturing and Services sectors.”
Ambassador Katagun, therefore, commended the leadership of ITF for the giant strides recorded especially under the leadership of Sir Joseph N. Ari adding that the transformation has led to the empowerment of thousands of Nigerian youths with cutting edge skills for entrepreneurship and employability in line with President Buhari’s policy on poverty eradication and job and wealth creation.
In his address the Director-General of ITF Sir, Joseph Ari noted that throughout history, the Fund has been reputed for its proactiveness and far-sightedness, which more than anything else, account for its longevity and relevance and ability to successfully negotiate all the obstacles to the full actualisation of its mandate.
He pointed out that the incumbent Management came up with several focus areas that will guide its operations including escalating its activities particularly in the area of technical vocational skills acquisition, building reliable labour market information systems, certification and the application of the students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) in a way and manner as to fully serve the objectives it was established.
His words “In the area of skills acquisition, which is considered by many as the universal currency of this century and the most sustainable solution to resolving most of the problems bedevilling the Nation and coupled with the fact that other countries across the globe had chosen the same path to remarkable results, Management resolved that the ITF will immediately commence the implementation of deliberate and diversified efforts to address the problems confronting the Nation.
“We will also strive to open up greater access for Nigerians desirous of acquiring skills by establishing vocational wings in all our Area Offices, acquiring more training vans, establishing more Industrial Skills Training Centres as well as see to fruition the establishment of specialised skills centres and six Centres for Advanced Skills Training for Employment (CASTE) in the six geo-political zones, which shall be equipped with up-to-date equipment to impart cutting-edge in-demand skills to Nigerians.”
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