By Pwanagba Agabus, Jos
The Director-General/Chief Executive of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr Afiz Ogun, has said the Fund has overcome several challenges in its 55-year history and remained relevant to Nigeria’s economic and human-capital development.
Ogun stated this on Thursday at the 55th anniversary celebration of the ITF and the commemoration of his three years in office, held at the Fund’s headquarters in Jos, Plateau State.
He said the anniversary was an opportunity to reflect on the circumstances that led to the establishment of the ITF and the contributions it had made to national development over the decades.
According to him, the ITF was established on October 8, 1971, by the administration of the then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, in response to the need to develop a pool of skilled Nigerian manpower for the country’s emerging economy.
“As you may be aware, 55 years ago, precisely on Friday, 8th October 1971, the administration of General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) officially signed into law the Decree establishing our great institution,” Ogun said.
He explained that about a decade after Nigeria gained independence in 1960, the country was still confronted with the challenge of replacing departing expatriate workers with qualified Nigerians while simultaneously expanding its industrial base.
“To address these, the Federal Government established several agencies whose mandates were specifically targeted at achieving these goals. One of these agencies was the ITF, which was charged, among other things, with providing a pool of qualified Nigerians to staff the key sectors of the nascent economy,” he said.
Ogun said the survival of the Fund for more than five decades was a reflection of the resilience and commitment of its workforce and successive leadership.
“Today, 55 years later, we celebrate this landmark as a tribute to our commitment, resilience and dedication as an organisation and its workforce.
“I am aware that we had to overcome numerous hamstrings and debilitating challenges that stood in our path while also contributing significantly to the goals and objectives of the Federal Government, even as other institutions with supposedly greater potential and more robust mandates have either gone under or are floundering,” he said.
The ITF boss attributed the organisation’s longevity and continued relevance largely to the quality of leadership and personnel it had attracted over the years.
He said successive leaders had brought different experiences and expertise to the management of the Fund, while maintaining focus on the achievement of its mandate.
“In terms of leadership, since 1971, the Fund has had seasoned technocrats, acclaimed academics and versatile administrators at the helm, with clear visions and a commitment to fully achieving its mandate,” he said.
Ogun listed some of the former leaders of the Fund as Dr Abel Ubeku, Mrs Nene Archibong, Alhaji Mohammed Dikko, Alhaji Lawal Tudun Wada, Alhaji Hassan Ahmed II, Prof. Olu Emenifo Akerejola, Prof. Longmas Sambo Wapmuk, Dr Juliet Chukkas-Onaeko and Sir Joseph N. Ari.
“These visionaries, patriotic and dedicated Nigerians, left indelible footprints and legacies that have ensured the organisation has not merely survived but remained relevant in achieving national policy goals and objectives,” he added.
