The Director-General, Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Sir, Joseph Ari has expressed disappointment over the ban imposed on Nigerian travellers as a result of the Omicron Variant of Covid-19 saying it is sad and unfair to place Nigeria on red list because of three samples.
Speaking with newsmen in Jos, Plateau State, Sir, Ari pointed out that the United Kingdom needs to rescind its decision because of the likely economic implications and other prospects in the economy through travelling in the entire world.
“We have already seen the reaction of the world towards Nigeria with the emergence of Omicron which is very unfortunate that with three samples that we have gotten, we should get red and blanket alert from the United Kingdom.
“I think it is very unfair for Nigeria to be placed under such a red alert. But I believe that with the government cry and observation, I believe that the UK Government would rescind its decision because it’s going to affect a lot of prospects in the economy through travels in the entire world.
“Nigerians are amongst those who travelled regularly and in huge volume. So it has also an effect on the economy. So I believe that with the points raised by the Honorable Minister and by implication the federal government of Nigeria suddenly will be done to lift this ban on Nigeria.
Secondly, we must thank God that even with the COVID-19 Nigeria has not been badly hit like other nations, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and even Europe. We thank God for that.
“And our proactive processes in combating the virus must also be commended. You heard and saw the Honorable Minister of Finance and health two days back, mentioning the strategies the government is employing to tackle this new environment including the collaboration with other nations including the development of homegrown vaccines, and so on and so forth.
“So we believe that the government is on top of the situation, but regarding how its effect and impact on our activities and operations.”
Explaining how the Omicron variant of Covid-19 might affect his organisation, the Director-General said even before now, the New World Order has made it imperative for online programs to come to be and so the ITF as part of ways to handle some of these development has also veered into ICT and online programs via zoom virtual meetings with its collaborators and partners in the other world.
“And today, it’s very easy that you are here, and you link up to Germany to Singapore to Canada, you know, via zoom and you get what you want.
“And it was also part of what the ITF did in order to keep alive.., we rolled out nine programs online free of charge on how businesses can be run for profit to be actualized in this period of the COVID-19. So that has not hindered our relationship with international organizations, the online program provides for that,” he said.
He equally expressed disgust over the situation where some Nigerians are averse to skills acquisition, saying the attitude has to change because appropriate skill is the only key that can save the situation and the challenges bedevilling the society.
Ari, however expressed optimism that the advocacy by ITF for Nigerians to embrace is paying off gradually as other organizations, non-governmental bodies public and private organizations are falling in line and also coming to cue in and realizing that the issue of skills acquisition is one central point that can take us off the streets in terms of restiveness and all the challenges, we are facing like kidnappings, robbery, unemployment, among others.
He added that the Industrial Training Fund is working to empower Nigerians to tackle the challenging situation the country found itself adding that the world has become volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous.
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