News
2022: ITF outweighs target on intervention, revenue, launch national apprenticeship, traineeship -DG
The Director General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Sir Joseph Ari has said that the Fund has outweighed its target in the implementation of special skills intervention program, where over 50,000 Nigerians were trained across the country to fight poverty.
He noted that the Fund also recorded huge success in its efforts to institutionalize the National Apprenticeship and Traineeship system that led to the launching of the NATS framework two weeks ago.
Ari disclosed this at the ITF Headquarters Jos during the 2022 end-of-the-year performance review meeting tagged, “National Apprenticeship and Traineeship System (NATS): A pathway to Job and wealth creation, held at the ITF headquarters, Jos.
“In the year under review, the ITF implemented several skills intervention programs that equipped over 50,000 Nigerians, especially the youths with skills for employability and entrepreneurship”
“In the area of revenue generation, we equally surpassed our targets in the areas of company registration, training contribution, course fees, and other incomes. What I consider as our most telling achievement of the year 2022, is the successes we recorded in our efforts to institutionalize the National Apprenticeship and Traineeship System leading to the launch of the NATS framework two weeks ago.”
He explained that the Fund made considerable efforts towards ensuring that the National apprenticeship and traineeship system take hold in Nigeria, adding that the history of apprenticeship in Nigeria cannot be told without recognizing the pioneering role of ITF through its SIWES program.
Ari added, “It is also on record that aside from the SIWES, the Fund mounted several other apprenticeship programs in various sectors of the National economy, most notable of which was the In-Plant Training Programme, where the Fund undertook industry-related studies in collaboration with the clients to identify and rectify productivity related challenges.”
The DG explained further, “With soaring unemployment and poverty, which according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is over 33 percent and 63 percent respectively, the Fund refocused its policy direction on NATs to escalate skills acquisition for prosperity, job, and wealth creation.
“To actualize this, the Fund collaborated with the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), the umbrella body for the Organised Private Sector and Skills for Prosperity (UK), which gave rise to the first National Skills Summit during which the NATS was first conceived as part of the resolutions of the Summit.
“We believe that if faithfully implemented, NATS has the potential to drastically reduce unemployment, allow the youths to earn income while learning, and enhance eligibility for finance and other forms of assistance while on training.”
He noted that a functional National Apprenticeship and Traineeship System will ensure a structured approach to skills acquisition and certification, leading to an increase in the number of MSMEs and expansion of the existing ones.
“Also a functional National Apprenticeship and Traineeship System will ensure a reduction in unemployment, underemployment, social vices, and crime rates, and improvement in the quality of services of Technicians and Craftsmen.”
Ari added that the Management of the fund is committed to ensuring that the ITF remains a leader in the HRD sector and assured that it will continue to provide credible and enduring leadership that will inspire staff for the continued growth of the Fund.
The Acting Head of the Corporate Planning Commission (CPC), Mrs. Olufunke Olorunleke welcome members of staff to the end-of-the-year review meeting and described the function as crucial as it will enable the Fund to build on its successes for the years ahead.
She commended the Director General for providing quality and satisfied leadership toward developing the nation’s human resources.
Isolo Area Office Lagos, Abeokuta Area Office, and Calabar Area Office became best in Training Activities while Victoria Island, Benin, and Makurdi Area offices also emerge best in Revenue Generation amongst others.
Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, Jibrin Isah Echocho, has congratulated Muslim faithful for the successful completion of this year Ramadan fast, urging them to celebrate the Sallah in love, and unity across our communities.
Echocho in a statement madeavailable to CAPITALPOST in Lokoja o Sunday, described the Ramadan period as stressful, but deserving, because it is the only period for spiritual reflection on abstinence from immorality, sincere sacrifice and supplications to Allah.
He added that, Ramadan symbolises Allah’s way of teaching humanity on virtuous living, where people keep away from all forms of comfort to appreciate what the less privileged experience and deprivation they suffers daily.
He task Muslims to extend the lessons of Ramadan to the way we live with our neighbours.
“Let’s seek peace at all times and promote unity of purpose in our society” the Lawmaker demanded.
“May the celebration brings sustainable peace to our homes, my district, Kogi State and Nigeria, he concluded.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Senator Basheer Lado, for redefining the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, stating that, for the first time in a long while, the office is fully meeting its expectations.
Speaking during his visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters accompanied by distinguished senators, Akpabio described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Executive-Legislative relations.
He praised the Special Adviser and his team for maintaining the confidentiality of communications between the President and Senate, and also, ensuring a seamless flow of information. He further emphasized that the office is now more result-oriented.
Additionally, he acknowledged the office’s diligent efforts in tracking all Bills passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, underscoring its critical role in legislative efficiency.
Expressing his satisfaction, Akpabio noted that he and the Senate delegation were proud of the office’s achievements and looked forward to sustaining the existing cordial and productive relationship between the Executive and the Legislature throughout the administration.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Senator Lado presented an Award of Excellence to Senator Akpabio.
In his remarks, Senator Lado reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He lauded Akpabio for his unwavering dedication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.
Ahead of the 2025 political party Congresses, Plateau State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) stakeholders has endorsed the defection of the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections and the leader of Justice and Rebirth, Barr Gyang Zi SAN, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) with the view to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
They made the call in a communique issued at the end of the enlarge meeting of the stakeholders from Plateau North senatorial zone at the residence of Barr. Gyang Zi in Rayfield Jos.
The communique which was jointly signed by Dr. Ayiki Sati Director General, Justice and Rebirth and
Barr. Samuel Galadima- 2024 Chairmanship candidate of Jos East LGA among others said the call became imperative on the sideline of the leadership tussle at the National Level which violates the core principles and values for the formation of the Party as an alternative for Nigeria for the protection, sustenance of democracy and Social Justice.
They regretted that the leadership tussle has also divided the party into factions leaving party loyalists and supporters in the state of despondency and confusion not knowing where they belong.
Our correspondent reports that the gathering included LP candidates from the 2023/2024 general elections, party executives, and support groups from the six local government areas of the Northern Senatorial District.
Besides, the focus of the discussions was centered on the state of the Labour Party at both national and state levels and the need for political realignment ahead of the 2025 party congresses and conventions.
The stakeholders further frowned at the structural weaknesses in LP and resolved to advise Barr Gyang Zi, to leave the party and join the APC while expressing confidence that the APC would provide him with a platform to advance good governance in the state .
The communique also emphasized the importance of political consultations, particularly with APC leaders at both state and national levels. It called for collaboration with Plateau State APC leaders, including Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, Sen. Simon Bako Lalong, Sen. Diket Plang, and other party officials.
According to the communique, supporters of Barr Gyang Zi also pledged to mobilize grassroots support for the APC, stating that their leader’s defection would strengthen the party in the state.
They urged the APC leadership to formally receive Gyang Zi and his supporters into the party, marking their official transition from the Labour Party.
Stakeholders also reiterated the need for inclusive governance, ensuring that youths, women, and less privileged individuals are sidelined in the democratic process and accordingly officially denounced their membership in the Labour Party, declaring their support for the APC.
They assured that all LP structures aligned with Gyang Zi would follow suit, shifting their loyalty to the ruling party in the state and at the National level.
-
Foreign1 week agoHouthis declare Ben-Gurion Airport ‘no longer safe’ after renewed Gaza fighting
-
News1 week agoUmeh denies receiving $10,000 with other 42 Senators to support state of emergency in Rivers
-
News1 week agoWhy Christ Embassy’s Pastor Chris holds Abuja mega crusade – Fisho
-
Crime1 week agoGhana’s anti-drug agency nabs Nigerian drug kingpin, Uchechukwu Chima, seizes $2.1m worth of cocaine, heroin
-
News1 day agoKogi Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo salutes Tinubu at 74
-
Business1 week agoFlutterwave, FIRS collaborate to digitize tax collection in Nigeria
-
News6 days agoAgain, explosion rocks gas facility in Rivers
-
News1 day agoAkpabio pays historic visit to office of SA to President on Senate Matters