NAN-H-64
ITF
By Martha Agas
Jos, Feb. 21, 2018(NAN) The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) on Wednesday in Jos empowered 500 beneficiaries of its National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP), with assorted packs to start-up their businesses.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some beneficiaries received sewing machines as start-up packs, while others received welding and plumbing kits.
In a brief speech at the ceremony, Mr Joseph Ari, the Director General of ITF, said that the programme was part of government’s efforts toward creating jobs and reducing poverty.
He commended the Plateau government for partnering with ITF to train 200 additional beneficiaries.
“We set out to train 300 beneficiaries for three months, but the governor agreed to train 200 others which brought the figure to 500,” he said.
Lalong, in his remark, commended ITF for its key role in youth empowerment.
“With the skills given to them, we expect the youths to be productive and become assets to the society.
“`We are particularly happy because many of them are getting engaged in positive activities that keep them away from drugs and other social vices,” he said.
He cautioned the beneficiaries against selling the packs, urging them to start up their business outfits so as to step down their training and employ others.
NAN reports that Lalong later inaugurated a computer laboratory at Technical College, Bukuru, near Jos donated by the ITF in collaboration with Nigerian Employers Consultative Association(NECA).
The facility is stuffed with 25 desktop computers with a stand-by power generating plant.
The governor, at the occasion, said that government would establish two additional Technical Colleges to be cited in the southern and central senatorial zones in addition to the 65-year-old technical College in Bukuru.
A beneficiary of the ITF start-up packs, 17-year-old Samantha Easton, who spoke with NAN, thanked the ITF for the gesture which she said would change her life.
“I have received a sewing machine and will use it to sustain myself when I secure admission into the university,” she said. (NAN)
MAA/ETS
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Edited by Ephraims Sheyin