The Federal Government, through the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) in collaboration with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), has kicked-off a joint vocational training programme on skills acquisition.
At the kick-off ceremony, which was declared opened by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Mariam Yalwaji Katagum in Abuja, the Minister said the event indicated the commitment of the government towards improving the country’s economy and livelihood of the citizenry, by equipping the Nigerian youth with requisite skills for entrepreneurship and employability, in spite of the negative effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
A statement issued by the ministry’s Assistant Director, Information, Mrs. Oluwakemi Ogunmakinwa, on behalf of the Deputy Director Press /Head Press and Public Relations Unit, quoted Amb. Katagum as saying that job creation naturally leads to poverty reduction and improved welfare for the poor, noting that “President Muhammadu Buhari led –administration has deliberately placed a lot of emphasis on skills acquisition, as a vehicle to generate employment, increase employability of the youth and alleviate poverty.”
She further stated that “It is therefore heartwarming, to note that the ITF has fully keyed into this initiative and is reaching out to different partners in order to deepen and actualize this policy thrust.
“Considering the enormity of challenges posed by unemployment and its undesirable effects, collaborative efforts between Agencies of government is crucial, if we are to successfully overcome the personal and social costs of unemployment, such as severe financial hardship and poverty, intolerable debts, homelessness, rising criminality and insecurity”, she added.
The Minister commended the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) for the notable efforts it has been making towards equipping Nigerians with life skills that would add value to the economy and therefore appealed to other critical stakeholders to follow the example of the ITF and the NCDMB in this direction.
In addition, she urged the trainees to make good use of the opportunity and use the skills to be acquired not only to put food on the table but also contribute meaningfully to the economic growth of Nigeria.
Amb. Katagum congratulated the management of the Industrial Training Fund and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board as well as the trainees for the commencement of the training sessions and expressed optimism that the expected outcomes would be of benefit to all and of service to the country.
