The Director General and Chief Executive of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Mr Joseph Ari has said since inception, over 204, 000 Nigerians have benefitted from free skills acquisition programmes and empowerment of the federal government through his agency.
Ari, who made the disclosure in a statement signed by him and made available to newsmen in Uyo, Monday, said the agency was saddled with responsibility of creating jobs to curb unemployment and grooming young enterprenures to change the economic landscape of the country.
Meanwhile, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has trained, graduated and empowered no fewer than 105 indigenes of Akwa Ibom state through 2020 National Industrial Skill Development last week.
Ari expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of the 2020 NISDP which was impeded by Covid-19 pandemic.
He commended Governor Emmanuel Udom for his various support to the agency which has helped to actualise numerous skills acquisition programme in the state.
“I must note here that Your Excellency’s support has motivated us to new level of performance, leading to the empowerment of thousands of Akwa Ibom State’s citizens with skills for employability and entrepreneurship,” he said.
Akwa Ibom state Governor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel Gabriel, commended the agency for keying into his completion agenda of job creation.
He lauded the ITF for its level of commitment, dedication and hard work which resulted in the empowerment of thousands of Nigerian youths with needed skills to curb unemployment.
The governor urged the graduands to make good use of the opportunity and the start-up kits given to them to start their own business so that they can become employers of labour.
On her part, the State Area Manager of ITF, Mrs Patience Ndu, also expressed happiness over the cooperation of the state government throughout the training of the graduands.
