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The Nigeria’s State Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Mariam Yalwaji Katagum (picture), Thursday launched vocational training programmes as part of the government’s efforts to address unemployment in the country.
Describing the training as a demonstration of commitment by the Federal Government towards improving the country’s economy and livelihood of the citizenry, Ambassador Katagum stressed that “job creation leads to poverty reduction and improved welfare of the poor.”
A statement from the Ministry signed by Oluwakemi Ogunmakinwa, an Assistant Director Information, said the vocational training is a joint efforts of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
According to the Minister, who performed the virtual kick-off ceremony, “President Muhammadu Buhari led –administration has deliberately placed a lot of emphasis on skills acquisition, as a vehicle to generate employment, increase employability of the youth and alleviate poverty.”
The Minister commended the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) for the notable efforts it has been making towards equipping Nigerians with life skills that would add value to the economy and therefore appealed to other critical stakeholders to follow the example of the ITF and the NCDMB in this direction.
“Considering the enormity of challenges posed by unemployment and its undesirable effects, collaborative efforts between Agencies of government is crucial, if we are to successfully overcome the personal and social costs of unemployment, such as severe financial hardship and poverty, intolerable debts, homelessness, rising criminality and insecurity,” she noted.
She urged the trainees to make good use of the opportunity and use the skills to be acquired not only to put food on the table but also contribute meaningfully to the economic growth of Nigeria.
Amb. Katagum congratulated the management of the Industrial Training Fund and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board as well as the trainees for the commencement of the training sessions and expressed optimism that the expected outcomes would be of benefit to all and of service to the country.
