Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Industry, Enitan Dolapo Badru has applauded the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) for impacting over 25 millions Nigerians with requisite skills who are contributing to the growth of the country’s economy in different sectors.
He expressed delight over the invention of indigenous Android GSM smartphone with 100 percent locally sourced materials by the ITF model skills training centre, Abuja.
Hon. Badru disclosed this on Wednesday when Director General of Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Joseph Ari received him with other members of the committee on oversight function at the ITF headquarters in Jos, Plateau State.
“The amendment of the ITF Acts to enhance performance, so far so good even without the amendment, you can see that ITF has come up with an Android phone and probably with the amendment, they may come up with an aircraft in the future.
“We are very much encourage especially form 2016 till this time the tenure of the current DG, Joseph Ari, has done alot and he is putting alot of efforts. If we can have people like this in our agencies, then we are good to go.”
He expressed satisfaction with the level of local content being used in various industries in the state, saying the National Assembly will continue to encourage the consumption of local contents in the country.
“we commend the Director General of ITF for doing a good job. We discharge our duty with all sense of responsibility but we have operated with ITF like a family and friends.
“This committee is made up of very sound intellectuals who are committed to doing anything that will better the lots of Nigerians.”
He said although the committee is yet to receive a formal brief on the invention of indigenous Android GSM smartphone which was presented to President Buhari few weeks ago and commended the Director General for achieving that feat.
The Director General, Joseph Ari said the ITF is committed towards equipping Nigerians with requisite skills that will boost the country’s economy through employer of labour and entrepreneurship.
He said, “Despite the enormity of the mandate, I am please to note that the ITF has discharged it with great successes by training over 25 million Nigerians that are manning key sectors of the national economy in its 49-year history.”
Ari said since the assumption of the incumbent management of ITF in 2016, their commitment to equipping Nigerians with technical skills for employability and entrepreneurship in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision of economic recovery has never wavered.
“Our emphasis on skills acquisition has been premised on our firm belief that it remains the most sustainable solution to increasing poverty and unemployment, and the catalyst to economic growth and development.”
He said ITF has signed an MoU with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to equipped Corps members with requisite skills and signed another agreement with the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sport Development to train 23,130 youths across the 36 states of the federation and FCT in 22 trade areas.
Ari explained that ITF paid N1, 081,945,000 as students allowance while N156, 309,500 was paid as supervisory allowance for Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) between January and December, 2020.
The Director General further informed that N5, 499, 821, 645. 27 was paid in line with the ITF Act as reimbursement to contributing employers with up to 50 percent of the statutory annual training contributions.
He said ITF has remained resolute in discharging its constitutional mandate of impacting Nigerians with skills and creating a conducive atmosphere for businesses to strive in the country.
Apart from the overnight function at the ITF headquarters, the committee visited the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Barr. Simon Bako Lalong, the Gbong Gwom Jos, NASCO Plc and Grand Cereals Ltd.
