The Edo State Government has lauded the management of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), on the training of 100 Edo youths on various skills.
Mr. Chris Nehikhare, Commissioner for Youth and Humanitarian Affairs in the state, in his address at the graduation ceremony of the beneficiaries said that the training of the beneficiaries was a meaningful feat recorded.
According to Nehikhare, I want to appreciate the founding fathers behind the Industrial Training Fund Act (ITFA) that came into effect on October 8, 1971.
“The purpose of the Act was to establish a Fund, The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to be utilised to promote and encourage the acquisition of skills in industry or commerce in Nigeria with a view to generating a pool of indigenous trained manpower sufficient to meet the needs of the economy.
“I am glad that the dream is still alive 50 years after
“On behalf of His Excellency, Gov. Godwin Obaseki, I want to congratulate you for keeping this dream alive and for recording such meaningful feat of training and empowering 100 Trainees in Plumbing and Pipe Fittings, Catering and Event Management through one of your flagship programme- the National Industrial Skill Development Programme (NISDP).
“This indeed is commendable indeed as the Nigerian economy is in need of such boosts and this is in tandem with one of the cardinal goals of the present Edo State Government”.
He noted that in years past, prior to the present administration in the state, there was massive job deficit in the state, which had cascading effects on the society.
“Countless youth in the state had taken to irregular migration, thuggery and other uncharitable acts and vices in the society as the unemployment rate soared.
“The Governor Obaseki led PDP government has steadily changed the narrative, using the Edo State Skills Development Agency, (ESSDA), as well as other skill acquisitions, job and wealth creation initiatives.
“These job and wealth creation initiatives include the Edo Innovates, Edo Production Centre, Vocational Skills Development & Entrepreneurship, to mention but a few.
“Thus, the economic landscape of the state is being impacted positively with regards to the creation of jobs which has geared up a hitherto moribund economy”, the commissioner said.
Nehikhare therefore congratulated the beneficiaries and enjoined them to add value to the scheme and to the Nigerian economy by deliberately putting to use the knowledge and experience garnered in the course of undergoing the training.
“It is our hope that our Ministry shall have reasons to collaborate with the ITF Team in similar ventures in the nearest future as all efforts are needed at this time to bring back the glory days of the Youth and that of this Nation through Industrialisation and diversification of economic potentials”, he further said.