From Christians Gokyo Jos
The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has celebrated 50 years of Golden Jubilee of its existence.
It was established on October 8, 1971 during General Yakubu Gowon’s regime.
It was officially signed into law with a Decree to its establishment.
The decision to establish the Fund by the Federal Government was informed by the fact that, 10 years after the nation’s euphoria of independence in 1960, it was still grappling with the twin problems of replacing the departing colonial manpower with qualified Nigerians as well as growing the industrial base of the new nation.
Since 1971, in times of leadership, the fund has have the leadership at the helm of affairs of nine Directors General till date.
They include Dr. Abel Ubeku, Mrs. Nene Archibong, Alhaji Muhammad Dikko, Alhaji Lawal Tudu Wada, Alhaji Hassan Ahmad II, Prof. Olu Emenifo Akerejola, Prof. Longmas Sambo Wapmuk, Dr. Juliet Chukkas Onaeko and the present Director General, Sir. Joseph N. Ari.
The Triumph learned that Dr. Ubeku laid the foundation of the Fund in 1971, while Mrs. Achibong developed the first ITF Training Policy and its human capital, while Alhaji Dikko relocated the Fund headquarters from Lagos to the present location in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
Dikko created new departments following the upgrading of the fund from a grade ‘B’ to grade ‘A’ parastatal and established new area offices and introduced ITF National Training Conference.
While Alhaji Hassan Ahmad II, embarked on accelerated staff development, construction and commissioning of the ITF headquarters complex and other infrastructural projects.
During the administration of Prof. Akerejola, the Fund witnessed enhanced staff welfare and computerisation of its activities, Prof. Wapmuk oversaw the refocusing of the fund’s service offerings from soft to hard skills, the establishment of the ITF Model Skills Training Center (MSTC) Abuja and the accelerated capacity development of the fund’s workforce among others.
Speaking during the anniversary celebration, the Director General, Sir. Ari said, the review and strategies for mandate actualisation was considered, adding that new skills for intervention were introduced, while existing programmes were expanded, leading to the training of over 500,000 Nigerians with cut-edge technical skills in four years.
According to him, the beneficiaries were all empowered with set-up packs for the first time since its establishment, saying that one key achievement of the plan that would terminate in 2024 is assembling of the ITF mobile phone, which was produced by the Model Skills Training Center, Abuja.
He said, to reduce person to person contact, following the Covid-19 pandemic, the SIWES online platform has been created, while the enabling equipment for e-learning has been procured and deployed for remote implementation of their programmes.
The Director General explained further that the fund so far trained over 200 teachers to update their skills, donated desk and ICT equipment to Government Technical College Bukuru and Government John Vianney Minor Seminary Barki Ladi.
Speaking during the celebration, the state governor, Mr. Simon Bako Lalong said, since the ITF’s establishment in 1971, despite new technologies, different government policies, and shifting economic conditions that have transformed commerce and industry, it has responded and adapted appropriately to meet the needs of the economy and provide the needed workforce for industries in the country.
According to him, its achievements have been visible in its products and the trainees it has graduated and pushed into the nation’s economy, adding that, only recently, it witnessed the presentation of a smart phone produced by the ITF which was presented to Mr. President.
“Such success stories are what have made ITF a leading public organisation in Nigeria and earned it several awards locally and internationally.
“As the host state of the ITF’s headquarters, Plateau State has benefited from the programmes and activities of the ITF, especially since the assumption to office of one of our illustrious sons and my brother, Sir. Joseph N. Ari.
“Under his leadership, millions of Nigerians, including Plateau indigenes, have benefited from several skill acquisition programmes of the ITF,” he noted.
From Suleiman Lawal, Lafia
The newly elected chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State, Dr. John D. Mamman has commended Governor Abdullahi Sule and Senators representing the three senatorial zones of the state for given him support and cooperation during the party’s state congress.
He gave the commendation in an interview with our correspondent in Lafia shortly after his emergence as the consensus candidate for the party’s chairmanship position.
Dr. Mamman described Governor Sule as messiah who performed his constitutional obligation with fear of God, zero religion, tribal and sectionalism sentiments.
“Let me also exchange my warm appreciation to our Senators namely, Abdullahi Adamu, Umar Tanko Al-makura, Godiya Akwashiki, members of House of Representatives from our party and all stakeholders who see quality in me to pilot the affairs of APC, in the state.
“Also, at this juncture, I will express my gratitude to God for showing us a day like this,” just as he always reiterated his appreciation to Govenor Abdullahi Sule for his honestly in ensuring this election went smoothly and successful as a leader of the party we give credit to him.
The new APC chairman confirmed that there is no winner no loser, calling on those who indicated interest to vie for the chairmanship seat to join hands with him in moving the party to highg standard.
He called on party members and citizens of the state to give him and his team maximum cooperation, assuring of ensuring fairness, equity and justice in the dispensation of their responsibilities as party leaders
