ITF empowers over 450,000 youths in skills acquisition

In line with Federal Government’s efforts in tackling poverty and unemployment in the Country, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo CON has stated that the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), in the past three and half years, over 450,000 Nigerians had been trained and equipped with necessary skills and empowered with Start-Up packs through ITF’s intervention programs.

The Minister disclosed this during the Official Commissioning of the ITF Lagos Island Area office Complex, Iponri, Lagos State recently.

Adebayo further revealed that by Commissioning of the Office Complex, ITF is piloting the affairs of the fund in line with its mandate with increased infrastructure that will enable easier access to its programs by Nigerians.

 He also reiterated that the commissioning would enhance better service delivery and a pointer to the fact that the ITF is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that it plays a vital role in the fight against poverty and unemployment in the Country.

In his address, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stated that the Commissioning of the Lagos Island Office Edifice by the ITF was part of efforts to expand access to its services in the State, not only adds aesthetic beauty to the State but also to align with the present Lagos State’s administration policy goals.

The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner, Establishment, Training and Pensions, Ajibola Ponnle, commended ITF for its huge successes in human capacity development and its tremendous efforts at tackling unemployment and poverty in the Country through the implementation of numerous skills empowerment programs that have benefitted Nigerians across the Country including Lagos State.

 Ponnle assured the ITF management that the State would continue to collaborate with the ITF in providing enabling working environment to ensure that all the fund’s facilities and programme thrive in the State.

She also called on other State governments, organized Private Sector (OPS), (NGO’s), Faith based organizations, stakeholders and other well-meaning Nigerians to also collaborate with the ITF to tackle unemployment and poverty as well as create jobs so that together we can rid the Country of the rising criminality  that are rampart in the society.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General, ITF, Sir Joseph Ari commended the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo CON under whose leadership and guidance, the ITF recorded tremendous landmark achievements since he assumed office barely a year ago.

Sir Joseph Ari disclosed that in 2016 the Agency unveiled an ambitious plan with key objectives; to accelerate the impartation of technical skills to Nigerians for job creation and poverty reduction, expansion and modernization of infrastructure for more Nigerians to have access to services and to enhance capacity to train Nigerians in relevant contemporary skills.

The DG congratulated the management and staff of Lagos Island area office who are primary beneficiaries of the Funds. He implored other staffs who are the citizens of Lagos state and other stakeholders, to continue to partner with the ITF to achieve its mandate of developing the Nation’s human capital.