The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo has revealed that in line with Federal Government’s efforts in tackling poverty and unemployment in the country, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has trained and equipped over 450,000 Nigerians with necessary skills in the past three and a half years.
The Minister disclosed this during the Official Commissioning of the ITF Lagos Island Area Office Complex, Iponri, Lagos State recently.
He said that by this development, 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 Nigeria.
In his address, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stated that the commissioning of the Lagos Island Office is part of efforts to expand access to its services in the State and also 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.
He assured the ITF Management Team that the State would continue to collaborate with the ITF in providing enabling working environment to ensure that all the fund facilities and programmes thrives in the State.
He also called on other State Governments, Organized Private Sector (OPS), Non Governmental Organisational (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 is rampart in the society.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General, ITF, Sir Joseph Ari commended the Minister under whose leadership and guidance, the ITF recorded tremendous landmark achievements.
He also 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 fund. He implored other Staff and stakeholders to continue to partner with the ITF to achieve its mandate of developing the Nation’s human capital.
Ibrahim Haruna
DD (Press)
