The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has equipped over 500,000 Nigerians nationwide with cutting-edge skills in various trades since its inception through the National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP).
This year alone, the NISDP and the ITF-Nigerian Breweries National Youth Empowerment Programme were implemented in the FCT; training 190 Youths and Women who were equipped with skills in Solar Power Installation, POP and Painting, Hair Dressing/Beauty Care, Ladies’ Wig Cap Making, Mobile Phone Repairs Leather Works (Shoe and Bag Making) and Electrical Installation.
The ITF Director General/CEO, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun made these disclosures at the closing and graduation ceremony of the 2023 National Industrial Skills Development Programme on Thursday in Abuja.
The NISDP is a transformative brainchild of the ITF that is implemented to fast-track the achievement of the Federal Government policy on job and wealth creation and it focuses on skills acquisition to create jobs to curb the rampant unemployment situation in the country and breed a new generation of entrepreneurs to transform the economic landscape of the country.
Dr. Ogun explained that the commitment of ITF to skills acquisition is based on the fact that it is the most sustainable solution to combatting unemployment, reducing poverty and youth restiveness in the country.
According to him, “It is universally accepted that any society that neglects the development of its human capital is bound to retrogress in terms of growth and development.
“In Nigeria, the situation is especially worrisome as even in the face of existing vacancies in several sectors of the National economy, as revealed by surveys conducted by the ITF and other organisations, youths roam the streets without any form of gainful employment giving rise to crimes and other social vices that bedevil our dear Nation today.”
The ITF Director General, said although the ITF has achieved a lot in over half a century of existence, the Organisation requires a new direction and focus for the policies and goals of the Federal government to be achieved.
According to him, “I had emphasized the need for the ITF to become a catalyst for National growth by deepening its activities and their impact on the National economy through the expansion of access both locally and internationally to our unique resources and internal competencies.
“I hope to do this through the utilization of modern technology and the enthronement of a new culture that will lead to the emergence of Nigeria as a country with the most skilled persons in Africa.
Dr. Ogun urged the graduands to resolve to utilise the opportunity provided by this training to make a decent living for themselves and their families and be good ambassadors of the ITF.
“Do not consider selling the start-up packs that will be presented to you shortly as it is your ticket to the world and an opportunity for you to contribute meaningfully to the Nigerian economy”, he cautioned them.
On her part, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite commended ITF in its role in human capital development.
She said, “Given the mandate of the ITF as the Agency responsible for empowering Nigerians with skills for employability and entrepreneurship, it has a vital role to play in the actualisation of these plans and policies. It is also my belief if the ITF performs up to the government’s expectations, the country will be better for it.”
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