From: Ali Abare, Gombe
The Bauchi Area office of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), on Thursday, graduated 500 youths in Gombe who were trained on various skills acquisition.
The youths received training in diverse skills such as tailoring, knitting, making of pomade, soap, morning fresh and shampoo, hair dressing saloon and carpentry.
Director General (DG) ITF, Mr. Joseph Ari, said the programme is one of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s policies on job creation and wealth generation.
“The policy is aimed at ensuring that as many youth are equipped with skills for employability and entrepreneurship.
“I am pleased to inform you that, according to our tracking and monitoring system, over 70 per cent of beneficiaries are now gainfully employed and successful entrepreneurs,” he said.
The DG, represented at the event by Malam Isiaku Shehu, Director Technical and Vocational Skill ITF, said the commitment of the Federal Government and ITF to skill acquisition was aware of the dark and bleak future that lies in wait if urgent and proactive steps are not taken particularly in youth empowerment and other vulnerable groups.
He said, according to projection, by the year 2050 Nigeria population will be 500 million and youth will be majority of the number.
“We need to empower them, to become gainfully employed and employers of labor, “he said.
In his welcome speech, Malam Yaya Manu, ITF Bauchi Zonal office, Area Manager said the trainees were trained for three months from April to July. He expressed gratitude to Gombe government for providing a conducive atmosphere for ITF.
Manu called on the state government to provide starter kits for the youth to enable them set up their business.
Malam Shamsudeen Abdullahi, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, commended ITF for equipping them with various skills, calling on the state government to provide a starter kits for them.
Declaring the training closed, Gombe State Commissioner for Youth Empowerment, Malam Faruk Yarma, said those that participated in the training would soon be given starter kits to set up their business.