…train 255 youths on various skills

By Ossom Raphael
Abuja – The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) says plans are underway to partner with investors on locally made smartphones in the country.

Director General of the Fund, Sir Joseph Ari, made this known during the graduation ceremony of ITF/Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) vocational skills training programme on Monday in Abuja.

Recalledthat in December last year ITF presented 4G smart mobile phone made from locally sourced materials to the Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Otumba Adeniyi Adebayo.

Sir Ari, said following the presentation, the Fund now seek collaboration with investors for the production of these Smartphones.
He disclosed that the Fund in conjunction with NCDMB has trained 255 youths in various technical and vocational skills which lasted for six months, and added that the trainees were given hands-on training in various technical and vocational skills.

“In order for the trainees to acquire professional certification, the Model Skills Training Centre implemented the programme in collaboration with three professional bodies namely; the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria, Nigerian Association of Engineering Craftsmen – COREN and CISCO Academy, who equipped them with skills in Industrial Automation and Mechatronics, Instrumentation and Process Control, I.T Essentials/ Comp-TIA A+, Mobile Phone troubleshooting and repairs, Electrical Electronics Technology, Building Technology, Residential Air conditioning, Mechanical Services and, Catering and event Management.

“We have no doubt that given the hands-on nature of the six-month training, which was comprised three-months intensive training at the MSTC and 3-months practical attachment, the graduands will no doubt contribute immensely to the development of the national economy.

“I am thrilled to inform you that from this training, our trainees were able to assemble the first indigenous GSM Smartphone. As of today, plans are under way to seek collaborations from investors to partner with the ITF to boost this innovation.

“As of today, plans are under way to seek collaborations from investors to partner with the ITF to boost this innovation”, Ari said.

Sir Ari, who commended Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mariam Katagum, for gracing the occasion, lauded NCDMB for the collaboration and sponsorship of the trainees.

He called on other stakeholders to partner the ITF to conduct similar programmes to empower the teeming Nigerian youths with requisite skills.

According to him, “Our commitment to skills acquisition is premised on the fact that it remains the most viable and sustainable solution to combating the rising unemployment and poverty that have continued to defy our best efforts as governments and non-governmental actors.

“Skills remain the currency of the 21st century economy. In recognition of the fact that when you catch the young ones early enough, the attraction to hands-on skills persists all through their lives.

“Going forward, the objective of the Centre is to ensure that as many Nigerians as possible are equipped with the skills for entrepreneurship and employability in order to avert the attendant effects of poverty and unemployment that have manifested themselves in our dear country in the form of rising criminality including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and many other antisocial behaviours.

“We however believe that for this to happen, all Nigerians across the various strata of society should heed our clarion call for synergy with the ITF.”

Also speaking, the Director General of NCDMD, Simbi Wabote, stressed the need for skills acquisition among the Nigerian youths to overcome the challenges of unemployment and poverty.

Wabote who was represented by Patrick Obah, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, tasked the trainees to cultivate the right attitude to work and develop customer relationship as they start their entrepreneurial work.