The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Maryam Katagum has called on relevant stakeholders to synergise their efforts to tackle the twin challenges of unemployment and poverty in the Country.
The Minister who made the call during the graduation of 11,100 youths in the 2020 National Industrial Skills development programme organised by the Industrial Training Fund ITF in Abuja, noted that the task of youth empowerment should not be left to the ITF and other Government Agencies alone.
According to her “it is a fact that youth empowerment through skills acquisition is of paramount importance to both the Nation and the empowered. With increased youth empowerment, the future prosperity of a nation is secured, because these are the people that will, in the future, make policies and occupy positions of authority in the country.”
“The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment is appropriately positioned and willing to collaborate with all relevant agencies and stakeholders in nation building, to tackle and proffer solutions to the challenges of unemployment and poverty in Nigeria”.
The Director General of the Industrial Training Fund, ITF, Sir Joseph Ari noted that the graduation was a continuation of the ITF’s drive to ensure that as many as possible are equipped with the technical skills for them to earn a living.
“Under this phase of the NISDP, thousands of Nigerian youths were trained nationwide in three trades namely: Tailoring, Cosmetology and Information and Communication Technology,” he said.
“Thousands of others were equally trained in other skills acquisition programmes including the Special Skills Development Programme (SSDP), the Federal Government Skills Empowerment Programme (FEGOSEP), the Info-Tech Skills Empowerment Programme (ISEP) and, the Agri-Preneurship Training Programme (ATP) amongst others.”
According to Ari, “The Special Skills Development Programme (SSDP), the Federal Government Skills Empowerment Programme (FEGOSEP), the Info-Tech Skills Empowerment Programme (ISEP) and, the Agri-Preneurship Training Programme (ATP) amongst others.”
The ITF boss noted that the Fund has commenced processes for the implementation of another round of skills acquisition programmes across the country noting that the phase will commence from the 1st week of June this year.
“To my esteemed graduands, who will be presented with start-up packs shortly, I urge you to resolve to utilise the opportunity provided by this training to transform yourselves and contribute meaningfully to the Nigerian economy”, he added.
Hauwa Abu
