Not less than 300 youths in Anambra, who enrolled for 2018 National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP) have received starter packs from Industrial Training Fund.
The beneficiaries, who were trained on tiling, welding and fabrication, and plumbing/pipe-fitting, were part of 11, 000 Nigerians trained under the year 2018 scheme.
The Director-General of ITF, Sir Joseph Ari, said during the event at Amawbia near Awka on Wednesday that since the inception of NISDP that more than 150, 000 Nigerians have benefited.
Ari represented by Mr Suliyman Ningi, Head Servicom/Anti-Corruption ITF, Headquarters Jos, said that the closing ceremony of 2018 NISDP was simultaneously took place in five states capitals: Uyo, Abeokuta, Yola, Kano and Awka, were the 11,000 beneficiaries were recruited.
He said out of the figure that 3, 900 indigenes of Anambra have been equipped with skills for employ-ability and entrepreneurship.
The ITF boss explained that the organisation’s commitment to skills acquisition was based on the fact that it was the most proven solution to combating unemployment and reducing poverty.
“It is an incontrovertible fact that any society that neglects the development of it’s human capital is bound to retrogress in terms of growth and development.
In Nigeria, the situation is especially worrisome as even in the face of existing vacancies in several sectors of the National economy, youths roam the streets without any form of gainful employment giving rise to crimes and social vices,” he said.
He hinted that the organisation targets to vigorously equip more Nigerians with life-long skills in the area of agriculture, construction, transportation and service sectors.
The DG of ITF advised beneficiaries of the programme to ensure they use the starter-packs to contribute meaningful to the nation’s economy.
Mrs Chinwe Opara, Area Manager of ITF, Anambra, said the beneficiaries held their three months training from August to November 2018.
Opara commended the DG of ITF and Anambra Government for their support in completing the training.
Dr Bona Ememari, Anambra State Commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy, commended ITF for providing worthwhile skills for Anambra youths.
He said the state was willing to sustain partnership with ITF and urged other organisations to emulate the agency in helping youths to acquire skills.
Some of the beneficiaries; Chizoba Anago, Kenneth Chieke and Lious Chukwuemeka commended ITF for the training.
Chieke particularly said the knowledge he acquired had made him an ambassador of ITF and assured to always impact same on others. (NAN)
