The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Abeokuta Area office through its National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP) has trained and equipped no fewer than 165 Ogun indigenes.
The training participants were selected from the three Senatorial Districts of the State.
They were trained in Tailoring and Fashion Design, Solar Power Installation, Hair Dressing and Beauty care, Shoe and Bag making as well as P.O.P. Installation.
The ITF Area Manager, Mrs. Bolanle Ajibade, in her welcome address, enjoined the trainees to deploy the skills they have acquired to contribute to the growth and development of Ogun State and Nigeria economy at large, adding that they should make good use of the opportunity to better their lots and impact the life of those around them positively.
“Do not contemplate selling any of the items presented to you. You have been taught to fish, please don’t toy with it. Go out and prove to the world that the 3 months or 2 months you spent in training is not a waste,” Mrs. Ajibade said.
Corporate Affairs Manager, West/Mid-West, Nigeria Brewery Ltd, Mr. John Denjuma, in his remarks, harped on the importance of skills acquisition in reducing the unemployment rate, urging the trainees to create wealth with the opportunity towards contributing to national productivity.
He assured that his company, would not relent in empowering the youth and giving back to society through their corporate social responsibility scheme.
Speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olu Ola Aikulola, admonished the graduands not to despise the days of their little beginnings, encouraging them to be diligent in the discharge of their duties.
In the same vein, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Waheed Adesina, represented by the Deputy Director, Production Services, Mrs. Toluwalope Layade Kowo, congratulated the trainees, and commended the ITF for being a consistent partner of government at various levels, providing training intervention for industrial and commercial skills development for the youth.
He urged the participants to put their expertise to use in order to create wealth, and contribute their quota to the Gross Domestic Product of the State.
Mr. Olaomo Akeem, a POP trainee who spoke on behalf of other beneficiaries thanked the ITF and the Nigeria Brewery for the opportunity given them to acquire the skills. “I want to thank the ITF and Nigeria Brewery for this great opportunity promising that he and his colleagues will maximize their skills to become employers of labour”.
120 participants were trained through the ITF National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP) and 45 were trained through the partnership of Nigerian Breweries Plc.
