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ITF aims to address unemployment, improve Nigeria’s economy, says DG ITF
The Director General/Chief Executive of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Sir Joseph Ari has reiterated their commitment towards equipping Nigerians with requisite skills acquisition programs in line with the mandate actualization of the fund.
Ari said the mandate of the fund is to reduce the unemployment burden to the barest minimum and improved Nigeria’s economic setting.
The ITF DG stated this on Monday when he was bestowed with an award of excellence in leadership and human capital development by the correspondents’ chapel, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau State Council in Jos.
According to Ari, “I consider this Award, which comes on the heels of being named the Year 2022 Public Service Person by the Leadership Newspaper and Plateau Man of the Year by COA Media as an endorsement and approval of my performance in office by a segment of the society that has first-hand knowledge and appreciation of what I have achieved in the ITF since 2016.
“I must stress that our achievements, which provided the basis for this award, could not have been possible without your willing assistance, as you have assisted in no small measure to carry our campaign for Nigerians to embrace skills acquisition as a real alternative to white-collar jobs to all homes in the nooks and crannies of our dear country Nigeria.”
He stated that the first phase of the ITF Reviewed Vision: Strategies for Mandate Actualization was considered by many as the most ambitious plan by the ITF since its establishment.
“It comprised short-term, medium, and long-term goals. Under the plan, new skills intervention programs were introduced while existing programs were expanded, leading to the training of over 500,000 Nigerians with cutting-edge technical skills in four years. The beneficiaries were empowered with start-up packs.”
Chairman correspondents’ chapel, NUJ, Plateau State council, Gyang Bere applauded Ari for providing leadership and rationalizing the fund since their assumption in office in 2016.
“Indeed, you have provided exemplary leadership, foster collaboration and build a spirited team and friendship across the board that has accelerated the growth and development of ITF under your watch.
“It is heart-warming to note that your indelible footprints have endeared your admirers to you while your detractors are left with no choice but to sing your success story.
“Your quest to drive Nigeria out of poverty and fight unemployment through skills provision has lifted the Fund to a grade ‘A’ Federal Government’s Agency and one of the leading human capital development institutions in the country”.
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.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has extended his heartfelt felicitation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 73rd birthday.
Governor Ododo in statement signed by his special adviser on media, Ismaila Isah described President Tinubu as a statesman whose leadership and dedication to national development continue to inspire hope and progress across Nigeria.
He commended the President’s unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is driving economic reforms, strengthening national unity, and advancing the nation’s democratic values.
“On behalf of the government and people of Kogi State, I celebrate Mr President and our father on this special day. Your resilience, visionary leadership, and patriotism have laid a strong foundation for Nigeria’s growth. We deeply appreciate your tireless efforts in repositioning our country for sustainable development,” Governor Ododo stated.
He further reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu’s administration and prayed for continued wisdom, strength, and good health for the President as he leads Nigeria toward greater prosperity, sustainable development, peace and stability.
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