By Agabus Pwanagba, Jos
As the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) marks its golden jubilee, the agency is said to be changing the poverty narrative in Nigeria positively.
Also despite the milestone reached by the ITF in the last 50 years, there is still much deficit to be filled by the agency in the years ahead.
It would be recalled that ITF was established in 1971 with a core mandate to develop human resources in Nigeria, by training Nigerians on skills relevant for the industrialisation of the country.
This was disclosed by Dr Ezekiel Gomos, who was a Guest Speaker, at the Fund’s 50 years anniversary celebration, held at its headquarters in Jos the Plateau State Capital.
Speaking on the theme, “Changing The Poverty Narrative through Skills: The Role of ITF and The Imperative for Institutional Synergy” Gomos said ITF which is the human resources development agency in Nigeria has receive a boost under the current management led by Sir Joseph Ari.
“Because Nigeria is the 3rd in ranking of poorest nations of the world, this is an indication of the need for more work.
According to him, “The 33% of unemployment rate in Nigeria is quite challenging and put pressure on Management of ITF, National Assembly, Federal Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment, to do all that is necessary to change the poverty narrative of the country.
Also speaking, Governor Simon Lalong said, “You will agree with me that attaining a milestone such as this is a very significant achievement, especially when weighed against the contributions of the ITF to the growth of the Nigerian economy through human capital development initiatives.
“We in Plateau State consider this our own celebration having been host to this great organisation that has impacted the nation’s industrial landscape. I therefore wish to use this opportunity to congratulate the Industrial Training Fund for the achievements it has recorded over the past 50 years and for its longevity.
“Since the ITF’s establishment in 1971, despite new technologies, different Government policies, and shifting economic conditions that have transformed commerce and industry, the ITF has responded and adapted appropriately to meet the needs of the economy and provide the needed workforce for industries in the country.
“Its achievements have been visible in its products and the trainees it has graduated and pushed into the nation’s economy. Only recently, we witnessed the presentation of a smart phone produced by the ITF which was presented to Mr. President.
“Such success stories are what have made ITF a leading public organisation in Nigeria and earned it several awards locally and internationally”, he explained.
According to him, “As the host State of the ITF’s Headquarters, Plateau State has benefited from the programmes and activities of the Fund, especially since the assumption to office of one of our illustrious sons and my brother, Sir, Joseph N. Ari.
“Under his leadership, millions of Nigerians including Plateau Indigenes have benefited from several skill acquisition programmes of the ITF”, he stressed.
In her address, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Mariam Katagum, applauded ITF for living up to expectations of the Buhari led administration in area of job creation and poverty reduction.
The minister who was represented by her Special Adviser, Ahmed Katagum, challenged ITF to intensify its efforts as the nation looks up to it for the industrialisation of the country.
“The ITF was among the few agencies that were requested by the Federal Government to forward submissions on lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.
“If its proposal, which is currently receiving the attention of the committee responsible is assented to, ITF will train over 7 million Nigerians in Agriculture, Construction, and Facility Maintenance, Information and Communication Technology, Manufacturing and Services sectors”, she stressed.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General and Chief Executive of Fund, Sir Joseph Ari said the “longevity and effectiveness” of ITF can be attributed to its quality of leadership and staff than runs the the institution right from inception.
Ari said, “The fund had been blessed with seasoned technocrats, acclaimed academic and versatile administrators with clear vision and commitment to ensuring the full achievement of its mandate.
According to him, “The incumbent management in ITF unveiled a programme aimed at launching a strategy for mandate actualization which has led to the training of over 500,000 Nigerians with relevant skills to be self employed and also create jobs for others.
“It must be noted that throughout the history of ITF, the fund has been reputed for its proactiveness and farsightedness, which more than anything else accounts for our longevity, relevance and our ability to successfully negotiate all the obstacles to the full actualization of our mandate”, he explained.
“But as we enter the next phase of our life as an organisation, I am desirous of seeing an ITF that has answered its name as the leading learning and development Agency that Nigerians can depend upon to facilitate the development of the National economy.
“I would like to see an ITF that adds value in taking Nigeria to be among the top in the comity of Nations. I will also want to see an ITF that competes favourably with other learning and development Agencies worldwide.
“I would like to see an ITF that grows not just into an household name where every young Nigerian would see as a pride of place to belong to in terms of actualising his or her career prospects”, he maintained.
“I would like to see an ITF that will lubricate the industrial hub of the country by ensuring that industries in the country operate optimally”, he stressed.
The 50th anniversary celebration was graced by former DG/CEO of ITF as well as some of its retired directors, traditional rulers from the host community, among others.
