ITF trains 74,000 youth nationwide, graduates 131 in Lagos

The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has trained about 74,000 Nigerian youth on various technical and vocational skills under its National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP) since 2012.

The Director General (DG), Sir Joseph Ari disclosed this at the closing ceremony of the programme’s 5th phase at the Development Exchange Centre (DEC) in Bauchi.

Represented by the Bauchi area manager of the fund, Alhaji Yahaya Manu, the DG said 500 youth were selected from each of the 36 states and the FCT while 1,100 youth were selected from Borno state due to the large number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Ari noted that Nigeria must introduce more wealth creation and poverty reduction schemes to address the socioeconomic challenges facing the country like kidnappings, armed robberies, among others.

The Emir of Bauchi Alhaji Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu represented by Barden Kudun Bauchi, Alhaji Hayatu Mustapha appealed to the federal government to motivate the trainees by giving them capital to set up their own businesses.

The Fund also hosted a combined graduation ceremony on technical and entrepreneurial skills for a 131 of its trainees in Lagos state where the Zonal Director/ Director of TVST Department, Mrs Folusho Samuel who represented the DG said the ITF is focusing on arming youth with skills to function effectively in the labour market and to become job creators.

Meanwhile the Head, External Relations and Exhibitions of ITF, Mr Vincent Taryahuan at the recent Lagos International Trade Fair said, “ITF is more relevant now that we are in recession because we have all along, been operating monolithic economy by relying on oil for revenue generation.