By Ossom Raphael

ITF DG, Sir Joseph Ari, showcasing locally sourced 4G phone

Abuja – The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) appears to be taking its skills development activities to a higher level as it has produced 4G smart mobile phones from locally sourced materials.

The indigenously produced phones were showcased at the opening of the Physical/Virtual 12th National Council Meeting on Industry, Trade and Investment on Wednesday in Abuja,

ITF Director General, Sir Joseph Ari, officially presented five phones to Adeniyi Adebayo, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, and Amb. Mariam Katagum, Minister of State,, during the 12th council meeting with the the theme “Revitalisation of the Industry, Trade and Investment Sector in Nigeria in the Post-COVID-19 pandemic era”.

Ari, said together with its trainees from its Model Skill Training Centre located in Abuja, it was able to produce its first 4G cell phones with all the components obtainable in any mobile unit.

The phone has an inscription on the package which reads thus “ITF Mobile Developing the Nation Human Race Source, Proudly Nigeria’’.

He said the fund had been directed to produce seven phones to be presented to President Muhammadu Buhari while another one to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

He added that the two ministers and Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy would also be presented with the phones.

Ari explained that the model skill centre went into collaboration with the Singapore Institute of Technical Education and Services which focused on modular form of training.

He further said that the institute collaborated with ITF in five trade areas namely, mechatronics and autotronics, computer networking, ICT, facility management and culinary.

The ITF boss said this had produced many trainees from the collaboration and just concluded the training of the staff from Local Content Board and over 400 staff of the Nigerian Army.

“Each of the trade areas consist of eight modules, but even if a trainee attends the first and second module such a trainee is set for the world of wealth experience,’’ he said.

According to him, it is working in tandem with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to ensure that all the products are produced according to standard.

“This is in line with the Federal Government policy of Executive Order 5, I present the phone for onward submission to the President,” he said.

ITF been an agency under the Ministry of Imdustry Trade and Investment, provides direct training, vocational and apprentice training in various trades