The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has trained 120 youth in plumbing and pipefitting as well as solar power installation in Bauchi state.
The Director General of ITF, Sir Joseph Ari, stated this in Bauchi on Wednesday during the graduation ceremony and distribution of starter packs to the beneficiaries.
Represented by the Area Manager, ITF, Bauchi, Alhaji Jibrin Loko, Ari also added that some of the beneficiaries were also trained in tiling and interlocking, hair dressing and aluminium fabrication.
The DG, who explained that the beneficiaries were trained for three months, stated that the programme was conducted under ITF’s 2022 National Industrial Skills Development Programmes (NISDP).
“ITF has over the years developed numerous skills intervention programmes to promote entrepreneurship, employability, job and wealth creation to reduce youth restiveness and also promote the diversification of the Nigerian economy in line with the Federal Government’s policy.
“The programmes were specifically designed to breed a new generation of entrepreneurs in order to transform the economic landscape of the country,” he said.
The ITF boss also said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had made tremendous efforts to create jobs, saying this is evident in the federal government’s efforts to get Nigerians engaged in meaningful economic ventures through various social investment programmes implemented by ITF.
Ari, however called on Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO), Faith-Based Organisations, Politicians and other stakeholders to collaborate with ITF in it efforts to train Nigerians.
He lauded Gov. Bala Mohammed for contributing ITF’s training programmes and for expressing readiness to partner it.
Also speaking, governor Mohammed commended the federal government in improving the quality of lives of Nigerians by creating an enabling environment aimed at promoting the economic growth of the country.
He urged the beneficiaries not to only put the items distributed into use but also use them with high level of determination, dedication and desire for success.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Gabriel Yohana, who appreciated the federal government and ITF for the training and provision of starter packs, promised to deploy the economic strengthening items for the purposes they were meant for.