By MBAFAN ADE, Abuja –
Director-General/Chief Executive of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Sir Joseph N. Ari has expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for re-appointing him for a second term of office.
In his first reaction since the development, Ari said he viewed his reappointment, which takes effect from 26th September,2020 as a validation of his efforts during his first tenure and an opportunity for him to consolidate on his achievements.
He also pledged to work assiduously to ensure the achievement of the Federal Government’s policy agenda especially with regard to job and wealth creation, according to a statement by ITF’s Deputy Director/Head of Public Affair, Suleyol Fred Chagu on Friday.
It said the DG emphasized he would not have achieved much without the total and unwavering support of his Ministers: the Minister for the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo and the Minister for State, Amb. Mariam Yalwaji Katagum who stood by him.
Sir Ari said in the next four years, the ITF would expand and deepen its activities especially with regard to skill acquisition and empowerment of the youths and indigent segments of the society as well as strengthen the MSMEs sector through need based training in view of the vital importance of the sector to national growth and development.
He said the ITF would fully implement the 2nd Phase of its Reviewed Vision, which was unveiled recently, in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic and to reposition the ITF to effectively deliver on its Mandate.
It would be recalled that Sir Ari was first appointed into the position on 26th September, 2016.
Through the ITF Reviewed Vision: Strategies for Mandate Actualisation, which he unveiled on assumption, the Fund under Sir Ari trained over 500,000 Nigerians, who are today earning sustainable livelihoods as paid employees, or as entrepreneurs that are employing others.
In addition, the Fund established five new Area Offices at Abakiliki in Ebonyi State, Badagry in Lagos State, Owerri in Imo State, Rumuokwuta in Rivers State and Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to expand its services so as to reach out to more Nigerians.
It also completed and commissioned six abandoned projects, namely; the Industrial Skills Training Centre (ISTC), Kano Mechatronics Workshop and Administrative Block, the Katsina Area Office Complex with vocational wing, Lagos Island Area Office, Modern Library Complex and Central Stores at the Headquarters, and a block of classrooms at the ITF Staff School, Jos.
As part of efforts to address infrastructural deficits, the Fund has equally completed eight additional projects, which are awaiting commissioning. Most of these projects have vocational wings for the equipping of Nigerians with the relevant and requisite skills.
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